By Nura Bala Ajingi
The National President of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), popularly known as EMPLOYER, Alhaji Dr. Musa Muhammad Maitakobi, has confirmed the authenticity of Comrade Auwal Bello Isma’il Danhajiya’s election as the Chairman of the association’s Kano State chapter.
Dr. Maitakobi made the confirmation in a telephone interview.
He explained that the national leadership of RTEAN conducted elections for its state executives in Kano, Kaduna, Adamawa, Niger, Kogi, and Ondo States in Abuja, in accordance with the association’s constitution.
The exercise, he said, took place after the expiration of the outgoing executives’ tenure in October 2025, under the supervision of security agencies and members of the media, including the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
The RTEAN President disclosed that a dismissed former secretary of the union was used by certain individuals to organize an illegal election in Kano, in clear violation of the law and against the advice of the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Kano, who had earlier cautioned both factions during a peace meeting to maintain law and order.
Dr. Maitakobi further clarified that there is no leadership crisis in any of the state chapters except in Kano, where some people are allegedly attempting to create division within the association.
According to him, the national leadership is fully prepared to honor the invitation of the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, for discussions aimed at resolving the leadership misunderstanding in the state.
He added that he believes the governor may not yet be fully aware of the true circumstances surrounding the situation.
“As a proud son of Kano, I would never wish to see conflict or instability in my home state,” Maitakobi stated.
He emphasized that he personally supervised the election of all RTEAN state chairmen nationwide, including the Federal Capital Territory, during the past five years without any disputes a record he said underscores the credibility and acceptance of his leadership.
Dr. Maitakobi also revealed that his administration had recently won two major court cases against individuals challenging the legitimacy of the national leadership, which, he said, confirms the baseless allegations.
He added that the association has since filed additional legal actions against those unlawfully parading themselves as RTEAN executives for contempt.
He further noted that part of the opposition stemmed from the fact that, for the first time in 47 years, a northern leader from Kano was elected to head the national body of the union, which had historically been led by southerners.
Dr. Maitakobi described his leadership as a source of pride for Northern Nigeria, particularly for the people of Kano, and urged members to remain united, supportive, and prayerful.
He reaffirmed his commitment to transparent, accountable, and progressive leadership for the continued peace and growth of the association.
