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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 issue throughout Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely known as MC Oluomo, has actually 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 roadway in Osun State, marks a considerable milestone in the controversial figure’s career trajectory while raising severe concerns about the intersection of transport unions and political power in Nigeria.

The Rise to Power

Delegates from four South-West states– Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti– took part in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole candidate.

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 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 everyone who offended me, and I want those I upset would forgive me also. This is our union, and we must be committed to its conservation. We will not allow anybody to damage our ways of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

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

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

Most especially, throughout the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo gained national attention for his questionable 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 vote for the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later claimed the declaration was a joke made to a friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the incident resulted in widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The after-effects of his hazards emerged in election day violence, where political hooligans allegedly performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo voters, avoiding many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the production of a petition calling for global travel restrictions versus him, citing his role in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation employees, has actually vehemently 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 substantial issues.

The group mentioned, “MC Oluomo’s leadership style is inappropriate. He utilized union resources for personal gain, disregarding members’ welfare.” They also raised issues about his ability to successfully lead the national body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his questionable management design.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has developed from a simple trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has actually ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically serving as a vital grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

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

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s increase exhibits the complex relationship between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in different 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 actually typically been slammed for blurring the lines between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of disrupting polling systems and intimidating citizens, especially those perceived to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has resulted in different legal obstacles. Notable among these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to disperse election products in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of important electoral procedures.

Future Implications

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

While his supporters commemorate his ability to preserve order and structure within the transportation sector, critics fret about the prospective nationwide growth of what they view as a hazardous blend of transport union power and political influence.

The consultation also 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 face issues of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic harmony, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of extreme dispute and scrutiny.

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

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