MC Oluomo emerges NURTW President – Tribune Online

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

In an advancement that has stimulated both event and concern throughout Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly called MC Oluomo, has actually emerged as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following an agreement election by union stakeholders and delegates.

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

The Rise to Power

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

The procedure 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 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, mentioning, “I have actually forgiven everyone who offended me, and I wish those I upset would forgive me also. This is our union, and we need to be devoted to its conservation. We will not permit anyone to ruin our ways of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency features considerable baggage and controversy.

Allegations 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 significantly, throughout the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo gained national attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was captured on video making threats against Igbo citizens in Lagos State, alerting them to either elect the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on declared the declaration was a joke made to a buddy nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the occurrence led to widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The after-effects of his dangers materialized in election day violence, where political goons supposedly performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo citizens, avoiding lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the development of a petition calling for worldwide travel restrictions against him, mentioning his role 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 mentioned his questionable leadership style and declared use of union resources for personal gain as substantial concerns.

The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s management design is undesirable. He utilized union resources for personal gain, neglecting members’ well-being.” They likewise raised issues about his ability to efficiently lead the nationwide body, pointing to his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management design.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has progressed from an easy trade union into a powerful political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically serving as an essential grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote locations, has made it an attractive partner for political stars seeking to develop control over local neighborhoods. This has actually led to changing what was initially a transportation workers’ union into what some critics describe 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 documented in different reports, he has contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including notable involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have frequently been criticized for blurring the lines in between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of interrupting ballot systems and intimidating voters, especially those viewed to be opposition fans.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

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

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo presumes the nationwide leadership of the NURTW, questions stay about the union’s future direction and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his fans commemorate his ability to preserve order and structure within the transportation sector, critics fret about the potential across the country expansion of what they view as an unsafe blend of transportation union power and political influence.

The visit likewise raises broader questions about the need for reform within Nigeria’s transport union structure and the relationship in between labour unions and political power.

As the country continues to come to grips with concerns of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic consistency, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of extreme argument and examination.

This development works as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the influence of non-state actors in the nation’s political procedures.

As MC Oluomo starts his period as National President, his actions will be closely enjoyed by supporters and critics alike, with considerable ramifications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s more comprehensive political landscape.