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 stimulated both celebration and concern throughout Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely known 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 happened at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a substantial turning point in the controversial 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 four South-West states– Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti– took part in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole candidate.

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 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 required unity within the union, stating, “I have forgiven everybody who angered me, and I want those I offended would forgive me too. This is our union, and we need to be committed to its conservation. We will not allow anyone to destroy our ways of income.”

A Controversial Past

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

Claims 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 notably, throughout the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo got national attention for his questionable function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

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

The after-effects of his threats emerged in election day violence, where political punks presumably conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to recognize Igbo voters, avoiding many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the production of a petition calling for global travel bans against him, citing his function 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 cited his questionable leadership style and declared use of union resources for personal gain as substantial concerns.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo‘s management style is unacceptable. He utilized union resources for individual gain, neglecting members’ welfare.” They also raised concerns about his capability to effectively lead the national body, pointing to his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management design.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has evolved from a basic trade union into an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically serving as an essential grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has made it an appealing partner for political actors looking for to establish control over local communities. This has caused changing 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 exemplifies 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 noteworthy 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. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of disrupting ballot units and intimidating citizens, particularly those viewed to be opposition fans.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has actually led to numerous legal difficulties. Notable among these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to disperse election materials in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of necessary electoral processes.

Future Implications

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

While his supporters commemorate his ability to preserve order and structure within the transportation sector, critics fret about the prospective across the country growth of what they see as an unsafe fusion of transport union power and political impact.

The appointment 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 problems of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic harmony, the function of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of intense argument and scrutiny.

This advancement serves as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the impact of non-state stars in the country’s political procedures.

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