MC Oluomo elected NURTW national president – Blueprint Newspapers Limited

MC Oluomo’s Controversial Rise: From Transport Union Leader to National NURTW President

In an advancement that has sparked both event and concern across Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely referred to as MC Oluomo, has emerged as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following a consensus election by union stakeholders and delegates.

The election, which happened at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a considerable milestone in the controversial figure’s career trajectory while raising major concerns about the intersection of transport unions and political power in Nigeria.

The Rise to Power

Delegates from 4 South-West states– Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti– took part in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole candidate.

The process was monitored by the acting National President of the union, Aliyu Issa-Ore, represented by Mrs. Adedamola Salam, Head of Finance from the National Headquarters in Abuja.

The election likewise resulted in the consultation of Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President of South-West and Akeem Adeosun as trustee from the zone.

In his acceptance speech, MC Oluomo called for unity within the union, mentioning, “I have actually forgiven everybody who angered me, and I want those I angered would forgive me too. This is our union, and we should be committed to its preservation. We will not permit anybody to ruin our methods of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency includes substantial luggage and debate.

Claims of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transportation union structures for political functions marked his tenure as the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NURTW.

Most notably, during the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo gained national attention for his questionable role in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

He was caught on video making threats versus Igbo voters in Lagos State, alerting them to either choose the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later declared the declaration was a joke made to a pal nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event resulted in widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The after-effects of his hazards materialized in election day violence, where political goons presumably performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo voters, avoiding lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the development of a petition calling for worldwide travel restrictions against him, mentioning his function in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation workers, has actually vehemently opposed MC Oluomo’s rise to power. In a communique signed by Comrade Taiwo Ariyo and Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the group cited his questionable management style and declared use of union resources for personal gain as substantial concerns.

The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s leadership design is inappropriate. He used union resources for personal gain, neglecting members’ well-being.” They likewise raised concerns about his ability to effectively lead the nationwide body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management style.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually evolved from a basic trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often acting as a crucial grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote areas, has made it an attractive partner for political stars looking for to develop control over regional communities. This has actually led to transforming what was originally a transportation employees’ union into what some critics refer to as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, sometimes, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s rise exhibits the complex relationship in between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in various reports, he has actually contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of significant involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have actually typically been criticized for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of interrupting polling systems and daunting voters, particularly those viewed to be opposition advocates.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has actually led to various legal obstacles. Noteworthy among these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to disperse election products in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of essential electoral processes.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo assumes the nationwide management of the NURTW, questions stay about the union’s future instructions and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his fans commemorate his ability to maintain order and structure within the transportation sector, critics stress over the possible nationwide expansion of what they see as a dangerous combination of transport union power and political influence.

The consultation also raises wider concerns about the need for reform within Nigeria’s transportation union structure and the relationship in between labour unions and political power.

As the nation continues to face issues of democratic combination and ethnic consistency, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of extreme debate and analysis.

This advancement functions as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the impact of non-state stars in the nation’s political processes.

As MC Oluomo begins his tenure as National President, his actions will be closely watched by fans and critics alike, with substantial ramifications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.