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 stimulated both celebration and concern across Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely known 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 road in Osun State, marks a substantial milestone 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– took part 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 likewise led to the consultation 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 everybody who angered me, and I wish those I angered would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we should be dedicated to its conservation. We will not allow anybody to ruin our methods of livelihood. »

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency comes with considerable baggage and controversy.

Allegations of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transport union structures for political purposes marked his period as the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NURTW.

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

He was captured on video making threats against Igbo citizens in Lagos State, cautioning them to either vote for the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later claimed the declaration was a joke made to a buddy nicknamed « Iya Chukwudi, » the event resulted in extensive condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The consequences of his threats emerged in election day violence, where political thugs apparently carried out civil-war-era-style « eye tests » to determine Igbo citizens, avoiding lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the creation of a petition calling for worldwide travel bans against him, citing his role in prompting 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 considerable issues.

The group specified, « MC Oluomo’s management style is undesirable. He utilized union resources for personal gain, ignoring members’ well-being. » They also raised issues about his capability to effectively 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 follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has progressed from a simple trade union into an effective political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often functioning as an important grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has made it an attractive partner for political actors looking for to develop control over regional neighborhoods. This has actually caused changing what was originally a transport employees’ union into what some critics describe as an advanced network for political mobilization and, sometimes, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s rise exemplifies the complex relationship between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in various reports, he has been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including noteworthy participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have often been slammed for blurring the lines in between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of disrupting ballot units and daunting voters, particularly those perceived to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has actually led to different legal obstacles. Noteworthy among these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to disperse election materials in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of essential electoral procedures.

Future Implications

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

While his fans celebrate his capability to maintain order and structure within the transportation sector, critics stress over the possible across the country growth of what they view as a dangerous fusion of transportation union power and political impact.

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 nation continues to grapple with problems of democratic combination and ethnic consistency, the function of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of intense dispute and scrutiny.

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

As MC Oluomo starts his period as National President, his actions will be closely viewed by advocates and critics alike, with substantial implications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s wider political landscape.