MC Oluomo elected NURTW national president – ThisDayLive

MC Oluomo’s Controversial Rise: From Transport Union Leader to National NURTW President

In an advancement that has actually sparked both event 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 an agreement 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 milestone in the questionable figure’s career trajectory while raising major 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 visit 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 angered would forgive me also. This is our union, and we must be devoted to its conservation. We will not allow anybody to ruin our methods of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency features significant baggage and controversy.

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

He was recorded on video making threats versus Igbo voters in Lagos State, alerting them to either choose the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later claimed the statement was a joke made to a buddy nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the occurrence led to extensive condemnation and requires his arrest.

The consequences of his hazards materialized in election day violence, where political goons allegedly carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to recognize Igbo voters, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the creation of a petition requiring global travel restrictions versus him, citing his function in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport employees, has 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 leadership design and declared use of union resources for personal gain as considerable issues.

The group mentioned, “MC Oluomo’s leadership design is inappropriate. He utilized union resources for individual gain, neglecting members’ well-being.” They likewise raised issues about his ability to successfully 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 developed from a basic trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often serving as an important 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 develop control over local neighborhoods. This has actually resulted in changing what was originally a transportation workers’ union into what some critics describe as an advanced network for political mobilization and, in some cases, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s rise exhibits the complex relationship between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in various reports, he has contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of noteworthy involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have frequently been criticized for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of interrupting ballot units and frightening voters, especially those viewed to be opposition fans.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s management has resulted in different legal obstacles. Significant amongst 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 necessary electoral processes.

Future Implications

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

While his advocates commemorate his ability to maintain order and structure within the transport sector, critics fret about the possible across the country expansion of what they see as an unsafe combination of transport union power and political influence.

The consultation likewise raises wider concerns about the requirement for reform within Nigeria’s transportation union structure and the relationship between labour unions and political power.

As the nation continues to face concerns of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic harmony, the function of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of intense debate and examination.

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

As MC Oluomo starts his tenure as National President, his actions will be closely enjoyed by advocates and critics alike, with considerable ramifications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s more comprehensive political landscape.