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 actually sparked both event and issue throughout Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely referred to as 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 roadway in Osun State, marks a considerable milestone in the questionable figure’s career trajectory while raising major 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– participated in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole candidate.

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 consultation 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 forgiven everybody who angered me, and I want those I angered would forgive me also. This is our union, and we must be dedicated to its conservation. We will not allow anyone to damage our methods of income.”

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency features considerable luggage and debate.

Allegations 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, during the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo got nationwide attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

He was recorded on video making threats against Igbo voters in Lagos State, alerting them to either vote for the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later claimed the statement was a joke made to a good friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the occurrence resulted in extensive condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The consequences of his hazards materialized in election day violence, where political goons supposedly conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo citizens, preventing numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the production of a petition calling for worldwide travel bans versus him, citing his function in inciting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

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

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s leadership style is undesirable. He utilized union resources for personal gain, ignoring members’ welfare.” They also raised concerns about his capability to successfully 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 developed from an easy 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 working as a vital 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 seeking to establish control over regional neighborhoods. This has resulted in transforming what was originally a transport employees’ union into what some critics describe as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, in some cases, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

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

His methods of operation have actually often been slammed for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of interfering with polling units and intimidating voters, particularly those viewed to be opposition advocates.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s management has caused different legal challenges. Notable among these was a court order during the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to disperse election materials in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of vital electoral processes.

Future Implications

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

While his advocates celebrate his ability to maintain order and structure within the transportation sector, critics fret about the possible nationwide growth of what they see as an unsafe fusion of transportation union power and political influence.

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

As the country continues to face problems of democratic combination and ethnic harmony, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of intense debate and scrutiny.

This development acts as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the impact of non-state actors in the country’s political processes.

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