MC Oluomo emerges NURTW President – ThisDayLive

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 transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly called 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 road in Osun State, marks a significant turning point in the controversial figure’s career trajectory while raising major 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 prospect.

The procedure 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 resulted in 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 called for unity within the union, specifying, “I have actually forgiven everybody who angered me, and I wish those I angered would forgive me too. This is our union, and we must be devoted to its preservation. We will not enable anybody to destroy our means of income.”

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency includes considerable baggage and debate.

Allegations of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transport 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 national attention for his questionable role in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

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

The aftermath of his dangers emerged in election day violence, where political criminals supposedly performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo citizens, preventing numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the creation of a petition calling for worldwide 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 workers, has vehemently opposed MC Oluomo’s rise to power. In a communique signed by Comrade Taiwo Ariyo and Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the group cited his doubtful leadership design and alleged use of union resources for individual gain as considerable concerns.

The group mentioned, “MC Oluomo’s leadership design is unacceptable. He used union resources for individual gain, disregarding members’ well-being.” They also raised issues about his ability 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 developed from a simple trade union into a powerful political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, frequently functioning as a crucial grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote locations, has made it an attractive partner for political actors seeking to establish control over regional neighborhoods. This has caused transforming what was originally a transportation workers’ union into what some critics refer to as an advanced 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, including noteworthy involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have often been criticized for blurring the lines between genuine union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his company was accused of disrupting ballot units and frightening citizens, especially those viewed to be opposition advocates.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s management has resulted in numerous legal obstacles. Noteworthy amongst 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 essential electoral procedures.

Future Implications

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

While his fans commemorate his capability to keep order and structure within the transport sector, critics fret about the potential nationwide expansion of what they view as a dangerous fusion of transport union power and political influence.

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

As the nation continues to grapple with problems of democratic combination and ethnic consistency, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of extreme argument and scrutiny.

This development works as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the impact of non-state stars 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 significant ramifications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s wider political landscape.