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 triggered both event and issue throughout Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, commonly referred to as MC Oluomo, has 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 took place at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a substantial turning point in the controversial 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 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 resulted in 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, specifying, “I have forgiven everyone who upset me, and I want those I offended would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we should be committed to its conservation. We will not allow anybody to damage our means of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency includes considerable luggage and debate.

Allegations 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, during the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo acquired national attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

He was captured on video making threats against Igbo voters in Lagos State, alerting them to either choose the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later claimed the declaration was a joke made to a good friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the occurrence led to prevalent condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The consequences of his hazards materialized in election day violence, where political thugs supposedly conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo citizens, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the creation of a petition requiring global travel restrictions versus him, citing his role in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport workers, has vehemently opposed MC Oluomo’s rise to power. In a communique signed by Comrade Taiwo Ariyo and Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the group mentioned his questionable management style and alleged use of union resources for individual gain as significant concerns.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s management style is undesirable. He used union resources for personal gain, ignoring members’ well-being.” They also raised issues about his capability to efficiently 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 follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has developed from a basic trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, frequently working as an important grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has made it an attractive partner for political stars looking for to develop control over local neighborhoods. This has actually resulted in changing what was originally a transportation employees’ union into what some critics describe as an advanced network for political mobilization and, in some cases, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo‘s increase exhibits the complex relationship between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in numerous reports, he has 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 typically been slammed for blurring the lines between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of interrupting polling units and daunting voters, particularly those perceived to be opposition fans.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s management has actually resulted in different legal difficulties. Significant among these was a court order during the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to distribute election materials in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of vital electoral procedures.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo assumes the national management of the NURTW, questions remain 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 transport sector, critics fret about the possible across the country growth of what they view as an unsafe blend of transport union power and political influence.

The consultation likewise raises more comprehensive 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 grapple with problems of democratic combination and ethnic harmony, the function of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of intense dispute and examination.

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

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