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 stimulated both celebration and concern across Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely referred to 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 happened at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a substantial milestone in the questionable figure’s profession trajectory while raising major questions 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 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, stating, « I have forgiven everybody who angered me, and I want those I offended would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we need to be devoted to its conservation. We will not allow anybody to damage our ways of income. »

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency comes with significant 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 notably, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo got national attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was captured on video making threats versus Igbo citizens in Lagos State, cautioning them to either elect the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later declared the declaration was a joke made to a pal nicknamed « Iya Chukwudi, » the incident resulted in widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The consequences of his dangers materialized in election day violence, where political thugs supposedly performed civil-war-era-style « eye tests » to determine Igbo citizens, preventing many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the production of a petition calling for global travel bans against him, mentioning his function in inciting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation workers, has vehemently opposed MC Oluomo’s rise to power. In a communique signed by Comrade Taiwo Ariyo and Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the group cited his doubtful management design and declared use of union resources for individual gain as significant concerns.

The group stated, « MC Oluomo’s leadership design is undesirable. He used union resources for individual gain, neglecting members’ well-being. » They likewise raised issues about his capability to effectively lead the nationwide 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 actually evolved from a basic trade union into an effective political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has actually become 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 significant cities to remote locations, has made it an appealing partner for political stars seeking to establish control over local communities. This has actually caused transforming what was originally 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 rise exhibits the complex relationship in between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in numerous reports, he has contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of significant involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have actually often been criticized for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of interfering with ballot systems and daunting voters, particularly those perceived to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has actually resulted in various legal difficulties. Noteworthy among these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to disperse election products in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of vital electoral processes.

Future Implications

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

While his fans celebrate his ability to preserve order and structure within the transport sector, critics stress over the potential nationwide expansion of what they view as an unsafe fusion of transport union power and political impact.

The consultation likewise raises wider questions 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 consistency, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of extreme argument and analysis.

This advancement acts as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the impact of non-state stars in the nation’s political processes.

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