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 stimulated both celebration and concern throughout Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, commonly 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 took place at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a considerable turning point in the questionable figure’s career trajectory while raising major 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 process 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 led to 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, stating, “I have actually forgiven everyone who angered me, and I want those I upset would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we must be dedicated to its conservation. We will not allow anyone to damage our means of income.”

A Controversial Past

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

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 notably, during the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo got 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, cautioning them to either elect the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later claimed the declaration was a joke made to a pal nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the incident resulted in extensive condemnation and requires his arrest.

The after-effects of his hazards materialized in election day violence, where political goons supposedly carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo voters, avoiding lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the production of a petition calling for international travel restrictions versus him, mentioning his role in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport employees, has actually emphatically opposed MC Oluomo’s rise to power. In a communique signed by Comrade Taiwo Ariyo and Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the group mentioned his questionable management design and alleged use of union resources for personal gain as significant concerns.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s management design is undesirable. He used union resources for individual gain, ignoring members’ welfare.” They likewise raised issues about his ability to effectively 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 successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has developed from a basic trade union into an effective political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically acting as an essential grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has actually made it an appealing partner for political stars looking for to establish control over regional communities. This has actually led to transforming what was initially a transport employees’ union into what some critics describe as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, sometimes, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s increase exemplifies the complex relationship between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in numerous reports, he has actually been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including significant involvement 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 genuine union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of interrupting ballot units and intimidating voters, particularly those viewed to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s management has resulted in numerous legal difficulties. Notable among these was a court order during 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 processes.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo assumes the national leadership of the NURTW, questions remain about the union’s future direction and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his advocates commemorate his capability to keep order and structure within the transportation sector, critics fret about the prospective across the country growth of what they view as an unsafe blend of transportation union power and political impact.

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

As the country continues to grapple with concerns of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic consistency, the function of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of intense dispute and analysis.

This development functions 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 starts his period as National President, his actions will be closely watched by supporters and critics alike, with substantial implications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s wider political landscape.