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 celebration and issue across Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, commonly referred to as MC Oluomo, has actually become the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following an agreement election by union stakeholders and delegates.

The election, which took place at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a considerable turning point in the controversial figure’s profession trajectory while raising serious concerns about the intersection of transport unions and political power in Nigeria.

The Rise to Power

Delegates from four South-West states– Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti– participated in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole prospect.

The procedure was supervised 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 also resulted in the visit of Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President of South-West and Akeem Adeosun as trustee from the zone.

In his approval speech, MC Oluomo called for unity within the union, stating, “I have actually forgiven everybody who angered me, and I wish those I upset would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we should be committed to its preservation. We will not permit anyone to ruin our means of income.”

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency comes with substantial luggage and debate.

Accusations of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transport union structures for political purposes marked his tenure as the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NURTW.

Most significantly, during the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo acquired national attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was recorded on video making threats against Igbo citizens in Lagos State, alerting them to either elect the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later declared the declaration was a joke made to a buddy nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event caused widespread condemnation and requires his arrest.

The consequences of his risks materialized in election day violence, where political criminals presumably performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo voters, preventing numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the development of a petition calling for worldwide travel restrictions against him, citing his role in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport 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 leadership style and alleged use of union resources for individual gain as considerable concerns.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s management design is unacceptable. He used union resources for personal gain, overlooking members’ welfare.” They also raised concerns about his ability to efficiently lead the nationwide body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management design.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has developed from an easy trade union into an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically acting as a crucial grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote locations, has actually made it an attractive partner for political stars seeking to establish control over local communities. This has actually resulted in transforming what was initially a transport workers’ union into what some critics refer to as an advanced network for political mobilization and, in some cases, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

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

His methods of operation have actually often been criticized for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of interfering with ballot units and frightening voters, particularly those viewed to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has led to numerous legal difficulties. Significant amongst these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to disperse election materials in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of vital electoral procedures.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo presumes the national leadership of the NURTW, concerns remain about the union’s future direction and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his advocates commemorate his capability to preserve order and structure within the transport sector, critics stress over the prospective nationwide growth of what they view as a hazardous blend of transport union power and political influence.

The appointment likewise raises more comprehensive concerns about the requirement for reform within Nigeria’s transportation union structure and the relationship in between labour unions and political power.

As the country continues to grapple with issues of democratic consolidation and ethnic harmony, the function of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a topic of intense debate and scrutiny.

This advancement serves as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the impact of non-state stars in the country’s political procedures.

As MC Oluomo begins his period as National President, his actions will be closely seen by fans and critics alike, with considerable implications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s wider political landscape.