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 event and issue throughout Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely referred to as 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 took place at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a considerable turning point in the controversial figure’s profession trajectory while raising serious concerns about the crossway of transport 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 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 visit 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, stating, “I have actually forgiven everybody who angered me, and I want those I offended would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we need to be devoted to its preservation. We will not permit anyone to ruin our means of income.”

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency features considerable baggage and controversy.

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 especially, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo gained nationwide attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was captured on video making threats against Igbo citizens in Lagos State, warning them to either vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later on claimed the declaration was a joke made to a pal nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the incident resulted in widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The aftermath of his threats emerged in election day violence, where political goons presumably carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo voters, preventing numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the production of a petition requiring international travel bans versus him, citing his role in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport employees, 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 management design and declared use of union resources for individual gain as significant issues.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s leadership style is unacceptable. He used union resources for personal gain, ignoring members’ well-being.” They also raised concerns about his ability to efficiently lead the nationwide body, indicating 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 actually developed from a basic trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has actually ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often functioning as a crucial grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote locations, has actually made it an attractive partner for political actors seeking to develop control over regional neighborhoods. This has actually resulted in changing what was initially a transportation workers’ 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 exemplifies the complex relationship in between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in various reports, he has been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of 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 in between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his organization was accused of disrupting polling systems and intimidating citizens, especially those viewed to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s management has caused numerous legal challenges. Notable 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 issues about the politicization of vital electoral procedures.

Future Implications

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

While his advocates celebrate his capability to keep order and structure within the transportation sector, critics fret about the potential nationwide growth of what they see as an unsafe combination of transportation union power and political impact.

The appointment also raises broader questions about the need for reform within Nigeria’s transport 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 role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of intense debate and analysis.

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

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