A founding member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Alhaji M. A. Bakare, has urged members of the union in Lagos State to shun the purported directive from the state chapter of the union asking them to deposit their voter card alongside two passport photographs with the union.

Alhaji Bakare, who was the pioneer president of NURTW and chairman, NURTW Leaders/Elders Forum, Lagos State, said the directive was a gross violation of the civic and constitutional rights of all the members of the union and a breach of the Electoral Acts.

Bakare said: “Don’t mortgage the future of your children, go out and register. Don’t give your cards to anyone, group or association for keep. On the election day, vote for any party of your choice.”

It was alleged that the leadership of NURTW had threatened to suspend or dismiss any member who refuses to give his registration card to his unit for onward transmission to the NURTW state branch.

He, therefore, implored the members, comprising the drivers, Keke Marwa and NAPEP drivers, Okada riders and motor conductors, to go out en masse and perform their civic duties by registering their names, but not to surrender their cards to anyone.  with two passport photographs.

Alhaji Bakare, maintained that the NURTW constitution recognized the right of any member to vie for any elective political office under any political party, provided such a member formally withdraw his or her membership of the union or apply for leave of absence for such period.

Recently, a member of the union, Chief Alamu Otegbeye also advised all members of the union to shun thuggery as the general elections approaches.

He advised members not to allow themselves to be used as political thugs.