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 celebration and concern throughout Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly called MC Oluomo, has become the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following a consensus election by union stakeholders and delegates.

The election, which occurred at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a significant turning point in the controversial figure’s profession trajectory while raising serious questions about the crossway of transportation 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 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 likewise resulted in 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 required unity within the union, specifying, “I have forgiven everybody who offended me, and I want those I offended would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we need to be dedicated to its conservation. We will not allow anyone to destroy our ways of income.”

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency includes significant luggage and debate.

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

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

He was caught on video making threats versus Igbo citizens in Lagos State, alerting them to either choose the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later claimed the statement was a joke made to a friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event resulted in prevalent condemnation and requires his arrest.

The consequences of his threats emerged in election day violence, where political hooligans allegedly carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo voters, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the creation of a petition calling for global travel bans versus him, citing his role 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 personal gain as substantial concerns.

The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s management design is inappropriate. He used union resources for individual gain, disregarding members’ welfare.” They also raised issues about his capability to efficiently lead the nationwide body, pointing to his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management style.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has evolved from a basic trade union into an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has actually ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often functioning as a vital grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote areas, has made it an attractive partner for political stars seeking to develop control over regional communities. This has actually led to transforming what was initially a transportation employees’ union into what some critics refer to as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, sometimes, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s increase exhibits the complex relationship in between transport 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 notable 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 between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of disrupting ballot units and frightening voters, especially those viewed to be opposition fans.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s management has resulted in different legal difficulties. Significant amongst these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to distribute election materials in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of necessary electoral processes.

Future Implications

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

While his fans celebrate his ability to maintain order and structure within the transport sector, critics fret about the potential across the country growth of what they see as a harmful fusion of transport union power and political influence.

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

As the country continues to come to grips with concerns of democratic consolidation and ethnic harmony, the function of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a topic of intense dispute and analysis.

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

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