MC Oluomo elected NURTW national president – ThisDayLive

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

In a development that has sparked both celebration and issue throughout Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely called MC Oluomo, has actually emerged as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following an agreement election by union stakeholders and delegates.

The election, which happened at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a considerable milestone in the questionable figure’s career trajectory while raising severe questions about the crossway of transport unions and political power in Nigeria.

The Rise to Power

Delegates from 4 South-West states– Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti– participated 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 also 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 called for unity within the union, mentioning, “I have actually forgiven everybody who offended me, and I wish those I angered would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we need to be committed to its preservation. We will not enable anybody to ruin our means of income.”

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency comes with considerable baggage and debate.

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

Most especially, throughout the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo gained nationwide attention for his questionable function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was captured on video making threats against Igbo citizens in Lagos State, alerting them to either elect the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later on claimed the statement was a joke made to a good friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event led to widespread condemnation and requires his arrest.

The consequences of his hazards materialized in election day violence, where political punks apparently performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo citizens, preventing lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the creation of a petition calling for worldwide travel restrictions against him, mentioning his function in inciting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

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

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s leadership design is unacceptable. He utilized union resources for personal gain, disregarding 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 design.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has progressed from an easy trade union into a powerful political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically acting as a crucial 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 transforming what was initially a transport workers’ union into what some critics refer to as an advanced network for political mobilization and, often, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s increase exemplifies the complex relationship in between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in different reports, he has been instrumental 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 actually often been slammed for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was accused of disrupting ballot systems and intimidating voters, especially those viewed to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s management has caused different legal difficulties. 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 necessary electoral procedures.

Future Implications

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

While his supporters commemorate his ability to maintain order and structure within the transportation sector, critics stress over the prospective across the country expansion of what they see as a hazardous fusion of transport union power and political influence.

The visit likewise raises broader concerns about the need for reform within Nigeria’s transport union structure and the relationship between labour unions and political power.

As the country continues to face issues of democratic combination and ethnic harmony, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of intense debate and analysis.

This advancement serves as a critical 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 starts his period as National President, his actions will be carefully enjoyed by fans and critics alike, with significant ramifications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.