RTEAN (founded in the 1930s, restructured in 1978) represents commercial vehicle owners/operators nationwide, with a focus on safety, professionalism, and economic contributions. It has faced periodic leadership disputes and works with government on issues like road safety and palliatives.

However, in the often fractious world of Nigerian labour unions, leadership at the national level demands both courage and a broad shoulder.

Alhaji Musa Mohammed (Maitakobi), the National President of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), has demonstrated these qualities by steering the organisation with visible commitment and inclusiveness.

Yet, recent events where the South-West Zone felt compelled to publicly distance itself from his participation in a courtesy visit by the “Transporters for Tinubu/Shettima 2027” group to Vice President Kashim Shettima have raised eyebrows — and not for the right reasons.

Let us be clear: as the General President, Alhaji Musa Mohammed *is* the legitimate mouthpiece and face of RTEAN. That is not arrogance or overreach; it is the constitutional and practical reality of national leadership.

No zonal structure, regardless of how influential or vocal, can unilaterally strip the national president of his representational authority.

To suggest otherwise is to flirt with dangerous fragmentation that weakens the union’s bargaining power, political relevance, and ability to protect the interests of transporters nationwide.

Critics within the South-West Zone have raised “accountability issues.” Fair enough — every leader must remain answerable.

However, turning a routine courtesy visit into a crisis of confidence feels more like political positioning than genuine concern. Alhaji Musa Mohammed has consistently carried every region along with transparency.

His leadership has not been characterised by exclusion or opacity. On the contrary, he has worked to unify a diverse national body whose members face similar challenges — from fuel costs and regulatory hurdles to road infrastructure deficits — irrespective of geopolitical zones.

The idea that the president’s actions automatically require zonal ratification before they can represent the association is both impractical and corrosive to organisational cohesion.

National leaders exist precisely to take decisions and engagements that advance the collective interest, especially in political and policy spaces where timing and access matter.

If every zone begins to issue disclaimers whenever the president engages power centres, RTEAN risks becoming a house divided against itself — loud in disunity, weak in influence.

This knee-jerk condemnation from the South-West Zone is uncalled for, particularly given the president’s track record of inclusive governance.

Leadership is not a regional trophy to be claimed or disowned at will. It is a national trust. Alhaji Musa Mohammed, though not from the South-West, has shown he understands the pan-Nigerian character of RTEAN. He deserves the benefit of institutional loyalty rather than public undermining.

What Nigerian unions need now is not more balkanisation but strengthened solidarity. Transporters across zones confront the same economic headwinds.

A united RTEAN under a focused national president stands a far better chance of influencing policy, securing better welfare packages, and contributing meaningfully to national development conversations. Divisive statements only embolden external forces that prefer a fragmented labour movement — easier to ignore or manipulate.

The South-West Zone and indeed all other zones should sheath their swords and rally behind the national leadership.

Constructive internal dialogue is healthy; public disavowal that paints the president as acting in isolation is counterproductive. Let the union speak with one voice through its elected national president.
Let zones channel their energies into supporting Alhaji Musa Mohammed to continue delivering on his mandate.

RTEAN’s strength lies in its unity. Anything that threatens that unity — no matter how dressed in the language of “accountability” — ultimately harms the ordinary transporter on the road.

It is time for mature leadership across all zones to close ranks, offer constructive counsel where necessary, and allow the national president the room to lead effectively.

A united house builds; a divided one collapses. The choice before RTEAN today should be obvious.

-Pamela O.