MC Oluomo elected NURTW National President – Daily Post Nigeria

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

In an advancement that has triggered both event and concern across Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, popularly referred to as MC Oluomo, has actually become the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following a consensus 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 significant turning point in the controversial figure’s profession trajectory while raising major questions about the crossway of transportation unions and political power in Nigeria.

The Rise to Power

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

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 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 everyone who offended me, and I want those I offended would forgive me also. This is our union, and we need to be devoted to its preservation. We will not permit anyone to damage our ways of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

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

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

Most significantly, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo got national attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

He was recorded 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 event led to extensive condemnation and requires his arrest.

The consequences of his threats emerged in election day violence, where political hooligans allegedly carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to recognize Igbo voters, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the development of a petition calling for global travel bans versus him, mentioning his role in inciting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport employees, has emphatically opposed MC Oluomo’s rise to power. In a communique signed by Comrade Taiwo Ariyo and Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the group mentioned his doubtful leadership design and declared use of union resources for personal gain as substantial issues.

The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s management design is unacceptable. He used union resources for personal gain, ignoring members’ welfare.” They likewise raised issues about his capability to successfully lead the nationwide body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his questionable management design.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has developed from a basic trade union into a powerful political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, frequently working as an important grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has made it an appealing partner for political stars looking for to establish control over regional neighborhoods. This has resulted in changing what was initially a transportation workers’ union into what some critics describe as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, often, 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 been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including notable participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have frequently been criticized for blurring the lines between genuine union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his organization was accused of interfering with polling systems and daunting voters, especially those viewed to be opposition fans.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has led to different legal challenges. Significant among these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to disperse election products in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of essential electoral processes.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo presumes the nationwide leadership of the NURTW, questions remain about the union’s future instructions and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his fans celebrate his ability to keep order and structure within the transportation sector, critics stress over the potential across the country growth of what they view as an unsafe fusion of transportation union power and political impact.

The consultation likewise 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 problems of democratic consolidation and ethnic harmony, the function of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of intense dispute and analysis.

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

As MC Oluomo starts his tenure as National President, his actions will be closely seen by advocates and critics alike, with substantial ramifications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s wider political landscape.