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 event and issue across Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, has 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 roadway in Osun State, marks a substantial milestone in the questionable figure’s profession trajectory while raising major concerns about the intersection of transport 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 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 also led to the appointment of Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President of South-West and Akeem Adeosun as trustee from the zone.

In his approval speech, MC Oluomo called for unity within the union, stating, “I have forgiven everybody who offended me, and I want those I angered would forgive me too. This is our union, and we must be dedicated to its preservation. We will not enable anyone to damage our methods of income.”

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency comes with substantial luggage and debate.

Claims of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transport union structures for political functions marked his period as the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NURTW.

Most especially, throughout the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo acquired national attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was recorded on video making threats versus Igbo voters in Lagos State, alerting them to either vote for the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later on declared the statement was a joke made to a friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the incident caused extensive condemnation and requires his arrest.

The aftermath of his dangers materialized in election day violence, where political hooligans presumably conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to recognize Igbo citizens, avoiding many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the creation of a petition requiring global travel bans versus him, mentioning his function 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 declared use of union resources for individual gain as substantial concerns.

The group mentioned, “MC Oluomo’s leadership design is undesirable. He used union resources for individual gain, ignoring members’ well-being.” They also raised concerns about his capability to efficiently lead the nationwide body, indicating 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 actually progressed from an easy trade union into an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, frequently working as a crucial 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 actors looking for to develop control over regional neighborhoods. This has actually caused changing what was initially a transportation workers’ union into what some critics refer to as an advanced network for political mobilization and, often, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo‘s increase exemplifies the complex relationship in between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in different reports, he has contributed 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 genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of interrupting ballot units and daunting citizens, particularly those viewed to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has actually resulted in various legal difficulties. Noteworthy amongst these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to distribute election products in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of essential electoral procedures.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo assumes the nationwide management of the NURTW, questions stay about the union’s future instructions and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his supporters commemorate his capability to maintain order and structure within the transportation sector, critics stress over the possible nationwide expansion of what they view as an unsafe combination of transport union power and political influence.

The consultation likewise raises broader 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 face problems of democratic combination and ethnic consistency, the function of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a topic of extreme debate and examination.

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

As MC Oluomo starts his period as National President, his actions will be carefully watched by advocates and critics alike, with substantial implications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s more comprehensive political landscape.