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 sparked both celebration and issue across Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, commonly called 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 occurred 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 concerns about the crossway 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 prospect.

The procedure 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 likewise 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 required unity within the union, mentioning, “I have actually forgiven everybody who angered me, and I want those I upset would forgive me too. This is our union, and we must be dedicated to its conservation. We will not permit anyone to damage our methods of income.”

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency includes significant baggage and controversy.

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

Most significantly, during the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo got national attention for his questionable role in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

He was recorded on video making threats versus Igbo citizens in Lagos State, cautioning them to either vote for the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later on claimed the declaration was a joke made to a friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the incident led to widespread condemnation and requires his arrest.

The after-effects of his risks emerged in election day violence, where political criminals apparently conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to recognize Igbo citizens, preventing many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the creation of a petition calling for global travel bans versus him, citing his role in inciting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport workers, 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 doubtful management design and alleged use of union resources for personal gain as significant concerns.

The group mentioned, “MC Oluomo’s management style is unacceptable. He utilized union resources for personal gain, disregarding members’ welfare.” They likewise raised issues about his capability to efficiently lead the national body, indicating 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 actually evolved from an easy trade union into an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often working 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 attractive partner for political actors looking for to develop control over regional neighborhoods. This has actually resulted in changing what was originally 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 rise exhibits the complex relationship between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in numerous 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 frequently been slammed for blurring the lines in between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of interfering with polling units and daunting voters, particularly those perceived to be opposition fans.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has actually led to different legal difficulties. Significant amongst these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to distribute election products in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of essential electoral processes.

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

The appointment also raises more comprehensive questions about the need for reform within Nigeria’s transport union structure and the relationship between labour unions and political power.

As the nation continues to grapple with problems of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic harmony, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of extreme debate and scrutiny.

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

As MC Oluomo begins his tenure as National President, his actions will be closely enjoyed by fans and critics alike, with significant implications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s wider political landscape.