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 sparked both celebration and concern across Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely called 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 happened at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a substantial milestone in the controversial figure’s career trajectory while raising serious 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 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 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 called for unity within the union, mentioning, “I have actually forgiven everybody who angered me, and I wish those I offended would forgive me also. This is our union, and we must be dedicated to its preservation. We will not enable anybody to destroy our means of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency features significant baggage and debate.

Claims 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, during the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo got nationwide attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was caught on video making threats against Igbo voters in Lagos State, cautioning them to either elect the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later claimed the statement was a joke made to a pal nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event led to prevalent condemnation and requires his arrest.

The consequences of his risks materialized in election day violence, where political hooligans supposedly conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo voters, preventing numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the production of a petition calling for global travel restrictions versus him, mentioning his role in inciting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

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

The group mentioned, “MC Oluomo’s management style is inappropriate. He used union resources for personal gain, overlooking members’ welfare.” They likewise raised issues about his capability 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 progressed from a simple trade union into an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has actually ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically functioning as a crucial grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote locations, has made it an appealing 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 a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, in some cases, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s increase exhibits the complex relationship in between transportation 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, including noteworthy involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have typically been slammed for blurring the lines between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was accused of disrupting polling systems and frightening voters, particularly those perceived to be opposition fans.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s management has caused numerous legal obstacles. Notable amongst 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 important electoral procedures.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo presumes the national management of the NURTW, concerns remain about the union’s future instructions and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his fans commemorate his capability to keep order and structure within the transportation sector, critics worry about the potential across the country growth of what they see as an unsafe blend of transportation union power and political influence.

The consultation also raises wider concerns 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 grapple with issues of democratic combination and ethnic harmony, the function of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a topic of extreme dispute and scrutiny.

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 begins his tenure as National President, his actions will be closely watched by supporters and critics alike, with considerable ramifications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.