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 triggered both celebration and concern across 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 turning point in the questionable figure’s profession trajectory while raising serious concerns about the intersection of transportation 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 process 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 likewise 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 required unity within the union, mentioning, “I have actually forgiven everyone who angered me, and I wish those I angered would forgive me also. This is our union, and we need to be dedicated to its preservation. We will not enable anyone to destroy our means of income.”

A Controversial Past

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

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

Most especially, throughout the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo got nationwide attention for his questionable role in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was captured on video making threats versus Igbo citizens in Lagos State, warning them to either vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on claimed the statement was a joke made to a friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the occurrence led to extensive condemnation and requires his arrest.

The after-effects of his threats emerged in election day violence, where political hooligans allegedly performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo citizens, avoiding many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the production of a petition calling for global travel bans versus him, citing his role in inciting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport workers, has actually emphatically 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 design and alleged use of union resources for individual gain as significant issues.

The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s management design is inappropriate. He used union resources for personal gain, ignoring members’ welfare.” They also raised concerns about his ability to efficiently lead the nationwide body, pointing to 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 actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often serving as an essential grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has actually made it an attractive partner for political stars looking for to establish control over regional communities. This has resulted in changing what was initially a transportation employees’ union into what some critics refer to as an advanced network for political mobilization and, sometimes, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s rise exhibits the complex relationship between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in numerous 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 typically been slammed for blurring the lines between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was accused of interfering with polling units and frightening citizens, especially those perceived to be opposition advocates.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s management has resulted in numerous legal obstacles. Notable among these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to distribute election materials in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of important electoral procedures.

Future Implications

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

While his supporters commemorate his capability to keep order and structure within the transportation sector, critics worry about the possible nationwide expansion of what they view as a harmful blend of transport union power and political impact.

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

As the nation continues to come to grips with problems of democratic combination and ethnic consistency, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of extreme argument and scrutiny.

This development serves 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 procedures.

As MC Oluomo begins his tenure as National President, his actions will be closely seen by supporters and critics alike, with substantial implications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.