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 triggered both event and issue throughout Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely referred to as 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 questionable figure’s profession trajectory while raising severe 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 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 forgiven everyone who offended me, and I wish those I offended would forgive me also. This is our union, and we should be devoted to its conservation. We will not permit anyone to destroy our ways of income.”

A Controversial Past

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

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

Most notably, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo got national attention for his questionable role in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

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

The after-effects of his risks materialized in election day violence, where political punks allegedly conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo citizens, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the production of a petition calling for worldwide travel restrictions 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 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 management style and declared use of union resources for individual gain as considerable issues.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s management design is unacceptable. He utilized union resources for individual gain, disregarding members’ well-being.” They also raised concerns about his ability to efficiently lead the national 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 follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has evolved from an easy trade union into an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, frequently functioning as a vital grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has actually made it an appealing partner for political actors seeking to develop control over regional neighborhoods. This has actually resulted in changing what was originally a transportation employees’ union into what some critics describe as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, often, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s rise exhibits the complex relationship between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in various reports, he has been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of notable 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 implicated of disrupting ballot systems and frightening citizens, particularly those viewed to be opposition advocates.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo‘s management has actually caused numerous legal obstacles. Notable amongst these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to distribute election products in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of important electoral processes.

Future Implications

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

While his advocates celebrate his capability to preserve order and structure within the transportation sector, critics worry about the prospective across the country growth of what they see as a hazardous blend of transportation union power and political influence.

The visit likewise raises wider questions about the requirement for reform within Nigeria’s transport union structure and the relationship between labour unions and political power.

As the country continues to grapple with problems of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic consistency, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of intense dispute and analysis.

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

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