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, commonly referred to as MC Oluomo, has actually 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 considerable turning point 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 4 South-West states– Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti– took part 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 led to the consultation 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, mentioning, ”I have forgiven everybody who angered me, and I wish those I upset would forgive me also. This is our union, and we must be devoted to its preservation. We will not allow anybody to damage our ways of income.”

A Controversial Past

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

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 notably, during the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo acquired national attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

He was caught on video making threats versus Igbo voters in Lagos State, cautioning them to either choose the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later on declared the declaration was a joke made to a friend nicknamed ”Iya Chukwudi,” the incident resulted in widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The aftermath of his dangers materialized in election day violence, where political punks supposedly performed civil-war-era-style ”eye tests” to identify Igbo citizens, preventing lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the creation of a petition requiring global travel bans versus him, citing his function in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation employees, 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 questionable management style and declared use of union resources for personal gain as considerable concerns.

The group mentioned, ”MC Oluomo’s leadership style is inappropriate. He utilized union resources for personal gain, neglecting members’ well-being.” They also raised concerns about his capability to successfully lead the nationwide body, pointing to 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 evolved from an easy trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often working as a crucial grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote locations, has actually made it an attractive partner for political actors seeking to establish control over local communities. This has actually caused transforming what was initially a transportation workers’ union into what some critics refer to as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, often, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s rise exhibits the complex relationship in between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in different reports, he has actually contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including significant participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have typically been slammed for blurring the lines in between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of interfering with ballot systems and frightening citizens, particularly those viewed to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s management has resulted in various legal challenges. Notable among these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to distribute election materials in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of important electoral procedures.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo presumes the national leadership of the NURTW, concerns stay about the union’s future direction and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his fans commemorate his ability to keep order and structure within the transport sector, critics fret about the prospective nationwide expansion of what they view as a harmful combination of transport union power and political influence.

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

As the nation continues to come to grips with problems of democratic combination and ethnic harmony, the function of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of intense argument and analysis.

This development works as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the influence of non-state stars in the nation’s political processes.

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