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 sparked both celebration and concern across Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, commonly called MC Oluomo, has emerged as 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 questionable figure’s profession trajectory while raising severe concerns about the intersection 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 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 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 offended me, and I wish those I offended would forgive me also. This is our union, and we must be devoted to its preservation. We will not enable anyone to damage our means of income.”

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency comes with significant luggage and controversy.

Claims 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 especially, during the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo gained nationwide attention for his questionable function in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

He was captured on video making threats against Igbo citizens in Lagos State, alerting them to either elect the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on declared the statement was a joke made to a friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the occurrence led to extensive condemnation and requires his arrest.

The consequences of his hazards materialized in election day violence, where political thugs allegedly performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo citizens, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the production of a petition requiring international travel restrictions against him, mentioning his function in prompting 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 cited his questionable management design and alleged use of union resources for personal gain as substantial issues.

The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s leadership design is undesirable. He utilized union resources for individual gain, overlooking members’ well-being.” They likewise raised concerns about his capability to effectively lead the national body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management style.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually developed from a simple trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, frequently serving as an essential 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 establish control over local neighborhoods. This has resulted in transforming what was initially a transport employees’ union into what some critics describe as an advanced network for political mobilization and, sometimes, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo‘s increase exemplifies the complex relationship 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 significant involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have typically been criticized for blurring the lines in between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of interrupting ballot units and frightening citizens, especially those viewed to be opposition fans.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s management has actually caused different legal obstacles. Significant among these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to disperse election products 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 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 transport sector, critics stress over the possible nationwide growth of what they view as a hazardous combination of transport union power and political impact.

The consultation also raises more comprehensive questions about the requirement for reform within Nigeria’s transportation union structure and the relationship in between labour unions and political power.

As the nation continues to grapple with issues of democratic combination and ethnic harmony, the function of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of extreme debate and examination.

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

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