MC Oluomo elected NURTW national president – Blueprint Newspapers Limited

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

In an advancement that has triggered both event and issue throughout 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 significant 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 4 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 led to the visit of Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President of South-West and Akeem Adeosun as trustee from the zone.

In his acceptance speech, MC Oluomo required unity within the union, specifying, “I have actually forgiven everybody who angered me, and I want those I upset would forgive me also. This is our union, and we need to be devoted to its preservation. We will not enable anybody to destroy our methods of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency includes considerable luggage and debate.

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 notably, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo gained national attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

He was recorded on video making threats against Igbo voters in Lagos State, cautioning them to either choose the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on claimed the statement was a joke made to a pal nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the incident caused widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The after-effects of his hazards emerged in election day violence, where political goons supposedly carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo voters, avoiding many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the production of a petition calling for international travel bans versus him, citing his role 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 doubtful leadership design and declared use of union resources for individual gain as substantial concerns.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s management design is inappropriate. He used union resources for individual gain, overlooking members’ welfare.” They likewise raised concerns about his ability to successfully lead the national 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 follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually developed from a simple trade union into an effective political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, frequently functioning as a vital grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote locations, has made it an attractive partner for political stars seeking to establish control over regional neighborhoods. This has actually led to changing what was originally a transport employees’ union into what some critics refer to as an advanced network for political mobilization and, sometimes, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

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

His methods of operation have actually typically 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 systems and frightening citizens, particularly those perceived to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s management has actually caused different legal obstacles. Noteworthy among these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to distribute election materials in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of vital electoral processes.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo presumes the nationwide management of the NURTW, concerns stay about the union’s future instructions and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his supporters celebrate his ability to maintain order and structure within the transportation sector, critics stress over the potential across the country growth of what they view as a dangerous blend of transportation union power and political influence.

The consultation also raises more comprehensive questions 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 grapple with concerns of democratic consolidation and ethnic consistency, the function of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of intense dispute and examination.

This development functions as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the impact of non-state stars in the nation’s political processes.

As MC Oluomo begins his period as National President, his actions will be closely seen by fans and critics alike, with considerable ramifications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s more comprehensive political landscape.