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 stimulated both celebration and concern across Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly 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 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 severe questions about the crossway 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 prospect.

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 led to the visit 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 actually forgiven everybody who offended me, and I want those I upset would forgive me also. This is our union, and we need to be devoted to its conservation. We will not enable anyone to ruin our means of income.”

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency features substantial baggage and controversy.

Accusations of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transportation union structures for political purposes marked his tenure as the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NURTW.

Most significantly, throughout the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo acquired nationwide attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was caught on video making threats versus Igbo citizens in Lagos State, cautioning them to either choose the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on claimed the declaration was a joke made to a pal nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event led to prevalent condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The consequences of his hazards materialized in election day violence, where political hooligans allegedly carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo citizens, avoiding many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the production of a petition calling for international travel restrictions against him, mentioning his function in inciting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

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

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s management design is inappropriate. He utilized union resources for personal gain, overlooking members’ well-being.” They likewise raised concerns about his ability to effectively lead the nationwide body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his questionable management style.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually evolved from an easy trade union into an effective political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often working as an essential grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has actually made it an appealing partner for political stars looking for to develop control over regional communities. This has resulted in changing what was originally a transport employees’ union into what some critics refer to as an advanced network for political mobilization and, often, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s rise 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, consisting of notable participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have often been slammed for blurring the lines between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his company was accused of interrupting polling units and frightening voters, particularly those viewed to be opposition advocates.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s management has actually caused various legal challenges. 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 issues about the politicization of essential electoral processes.

Future Implications

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

While his fans commemorate his capability to preserve order and structure within the transport sector, critics fret about the prospective nationwide growth of what they view as a hazardous 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 in between labour unions and political power.

As the country continues to face problems of democratic combination and ethnic consistency, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of intense debate and scrutiny.

This advancement serves as a critical 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 begins his tenure as National President, his actions will be carefully viewed by fans and critics alike, with considerable implications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s more comprehensive political landscape.