Lagos NURTW Boss Denies Threatening Voters as DSS Questions Him Over Viral Video
The Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle, popularly known as Sego, has denied allegations that he threatened voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sego was invited by the Department of State Services (DSS) after a video surfaced online showing him addressing members of the union in Yoruba. In the clip, he reportedly warned that the mistakes of the 2023 elections must not be repeated and suggested that those who refused to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would face consequences.
The footage sparked widespread criticism, with civil society groups and opposition voices accusing him of voter intimidation.
The DSS stepped in to question him amid concerns over possible incitement and threats to peaceful elections in Lagos State.
In a swift response, Sego released another video insisting that his comments were taken out of context. He explained that his remarks were directed solely at his union members and not at the general electorate. According to him, he was advising NURTW members on discipline and loyalty, not issuing threats to voters.
He further alleged that rival elements within the transport union were behind the reports, saying the controversy was a deliberate attempt to tarnish his image and destabilize the Lagos NURTW leadership. “These allegations are false and baseless,” he said, maintaining that he has no intention of intimidating or coercing voters.
While DSS questioning has so far not led to any formal charges, the incident has fueled wider debates about the influence of transport unions in Nigerian elections. In Lagos, where NURTW members often play key roles in mobilization and logistics during polls, their political involvement has long drawn public scrutiny.
The development comes at a sensitive time as political parties and institutions prepare for the 2027 elections. Observers say the case will test the government’s commitment to curbing voter intimidation and ensuring credible polls in the state.
