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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 sparked both event and issue throughout Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly called 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 happened at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a significant milestone in the questionable figure’s career trajectory while raising major concerns 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 candidate.

The process 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 also led to the appointment of Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President of South-West and Akeem Adeosun as trustee from the zone.

In his approval speech, MC Oluomo called for unity within the union, mentioning, “I have actually forgiven everyone who offended me, and I wish those I offended would forgive me also. This is our union, and we need to be committed to its preservation. We will not permit anybody to ruin our ways of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

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

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

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

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

The after-effects of his risks materialized in election day violence, where political thugs presumably performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to recognize Igbo citizens, preventing many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the development of a petition calling for global travel bans versus him, mentioning his function in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport employees, has actually emphatically opposed MC Oluomo’s rise to power. In a communique signed by Comrade Taiwo Ariyo and Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the group cited his questionable management style and declared use of union resources for personal gain as considerable issues.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s management style is inappropriate. He used union resources for personal gain, neglecting members’ well-being.” They likewise raised concerns about his capability to efficiently lead the nationwide body, pointing to his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his questionable management style.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually progressed from a basic trade union into a powerful political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, frequently working as a crucial grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote locations, has made it an appealing partner for political actors seeking to develop control over local neighborhoods. This has actually led to changing what was originally a transport 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 numerous reports, he has been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including noteworthy involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have actually frequently been criticized for blurring the lines between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of interrupting ballot systems and frightening citizens, especially those viewed to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo‘s management has actually resulted in numerous legal obstacles. Notable among these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to distribute election products in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of essential electoral processes.

Future Implications

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

While his fans commemorate his ability to keep order and structure within the transport sector, critics fret about the potential nationwide growth of what they see as a dangerous fusion of transportation union power and political impact.

The visit likewise raises wider 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 problems of democratic combination and ethnic harmony, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a topic of extreme debate and examination.

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

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