MC Oluomo elected NURTW national president – Blueprint Newspapers Limited

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

In a development that has actually triggered both celebration and issue across Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely known 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 occurred at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a substantial turning point in the controversial figure’s career trajectory while raising severe questions about the crossway of transportation 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 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 led to the appointment 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 forgiven everyone who angered me, and I wish those I upset would forgive me also. This is our union, and we must be devoted to its conservation. We will not enable anybody to ruin our ways of income.”

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency includes considerable baggage and controversy.

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

Most especially, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo acquired nationwide attention for his questionable function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was recorded on video making threats versus Igbo voters in Lagos State, cautioning them to either elect the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later on declared the declaration was a joke made to a buddy nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the incident resulted in extensive condemnation and requires his arrest.

The after-effects of his threats emerged in election day violence, where political punks apparently conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to recognize Igbo voters, avoiding lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the development of a petition calling for global travel bans 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 emphatically 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 design and alleged use of union resources for individual gain as substantial issues.

The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s leadership design is unacceptable. He used union resources for individual gain, neglecting members’ well-being.” They likewise raised issues about his capability to efficiently lead the nationwide body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his questionable management style.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually progressed from a basic trade union into a powerful political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has actually 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 areas, has made it an attractive partner for political actors looking for to develop control over local communities. This has led to transforming what was initially a transportation employees’ union into what some critics refer to as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, often, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s rise exhibits the complex relationship in between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in different reports, he has contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including significant participation 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 legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his organization was accused of interrupting polling units and intimidating voters, particularly those perceived to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo‘s management has actually resulted in different legal obstacles. Notable amongst these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to distribute election materials in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of essential electoral procedures.

Future Implications

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

While his advocates celebrate his ability to keep order and structure within the transportation sector, critics fret about the prospective across the country expansion of what they see as a dangerous combination of transport union power and political impact.

The consultation likewise raises wider 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 come to grips with issues of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic harmony, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of intense debate and scrutiny.

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

As MC Oluomo starts his period as National President, his actions will be carefully viewed by advocates and critics alike, with considerable ramifications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s wider political landscape.