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Adefowope Olorode, chairman, Lagos State branch of
the Road Transport Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) on Tuesday said
nobody under the union would be allowed to be used as a thug by
unpatriotic politicians.

Mr Olorode, who was sworn in only a week ago, said
transport unions were not made up of miscreants and should not be seen
as the breeding ground for thugs to be used to unleash violence during
electioneering campaigns and voting.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos
that his members were already being sensitised to better know their
rights and the legal roles expected of them in the democratic process.

“We are talking to one another on the need to
actively participate in the nation’s political process; that is, we
must register to vote and ensure that we vote.

“We will ensure that our members are law-abiding
and not in anyway involved in any form of violence before, during and
after the 2011 general elections”, Mr Olorode said.

The chairman said though it was not out of place
to have members who could be quite active politically– even to the
extent of contesting party elections– others would have their choices
and not be forced to support any candidate.

“Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians, including RTEAN
members. When it is well with the nation, it is well with RTEAN members
and their businesses.

“We dream of a prosperous and peaceful Nigeria now
and in the future, so that our children and their children would not
pour curses on us”, he said.

He appealed to government at all tiers to give road maintenance and
expansion priority to ensure smooth and s movement of goods and people
throughout the country.