'Lai Olurode ensue when attempts are made to remain in power at all cost. Of course, it is public knowledge that some state governments, for political considerations, try to curry the favour of NURTW and may even try to break its rank. The Oyo branch of the NURTW was particularly believed to have been compromised in the struggle for power between former Governor Ladoja's faction of the PDP and the faction loyal to late Lamidi Adedibu and Alao Akala. Up till today, the factions loyal to Lateef Akinsola and Abubakare Ola Tawa are yet to be reconciled. So, members of NURTW cannot be exculpated in the gale of impeachments that characterised some states during the President Obasanjo's second term(2003-2007) in office. The power broker theory cannot be dismissed as irrelevant. It however, requires more research to be able to make more authoritative assertions and causal relationships. Though, this was not expressly stated during interviews with members, money may also be a major cause of rift among members. The association is an income generating body and has a wide network of members. There may also be temptations on the part of leadership to use its platform for political and economic transactions. The union enjoys a robust relationship with security agents, particularly, the police. A former and perhaps the first national chairman of the union, Chief Adebayo Success was a popular figure in social and security circles. Members are expected to pay what is called elected officers dues(E.O.D.) which are meant to maintain elected and appointed officers. The constitution does not theoretically allow them as an association to be affiliated with any political party but, nevertheless it enjoys government patronage at the federal, state and local government levels. This patronage could take several forms but the commonest ones include purchase 58 Understanding a'Power Broker': The Road Transport Workers Unions in the Context of Election Security of commercial vehicles by state governments with repayment terms that are often generous, guaranteeing of loans and payment of interest by state government among other state-based support and patronage. State's supports for the union are expected to be reciprocated by union and its members through political loyalties. Of course, politicians do try to penetrate the rank and file of the association and deliberately seek to create factions among them. Together with failure to vacate offices when terms are due and efforts to trade off their independence for paltry and selfish political gains, the association is often predisposed to conflict which can sometimes be protracted. In some cases, the court had been approached to resolve the debacle or imbroglio. A good case study is the present legal tussle in which the union is embroiled in Oyo state. Some facts in respect of this case may help to shed light on what issues may provoke crisis within the association. Though, the legal option shows deference for the rule of law but, it is rarely the only option that is pursued in conflict resolution as it is simultaneously pursued with street fight among factions of the union. The Oyo state government, for some reasons, proscribed the Oyo state chapter of the NURTW. The then state chairman of the association challenged the proscription order in court. Upon ruling in favour of the petitioner, the state government then hurriedly inaugurated a caretaker committee. The questions for determination and reliefs sought from the court are as follow: a. Whether the four-year term fixed by paragraph 4(iv) of Article 42 of the constitution of NURTW for its state executive committee contemplates or includes any period 59