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 stimulated both celebration and concern throughout Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly referred to as MC Oluomo, has actually emerged as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following a consensus election by union stakeholders and delegates.

The election, which took place at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a significant turning point in the questionable figure’s career trajectory while raising major questions about the intersection of transportation 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 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 resulted in the consultation 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, specifying, “I have actually forgiven everybody who upset me, and I wish those I upset would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we should be committed to its preservation. We will not permit anybody to ruin our means of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

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

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

Most especially, throughout the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo got nationwide attention for his controversial function 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 ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later on claimed the declaration was a joke made to a good friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event led to widespread condemnation and requires his arrest.

The aftermath of his hazards materialized in election day violence, where political punks allegedly performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to recognize Igbo voters, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the creation of a petition requiring global travel restrictions versus him, citing his function in inciting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation 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 leadership style and declared use of union resources for individual gain as considerable issues.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s management style is unacceptable. He utilized union resources for individual gain, disregarding members’ well-being.” They also raised issues about his ability to effectively lead the nationwide body, pointing to his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management style.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has evolved from a basic trade union into a powerful political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often working as an important grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote locations, has made it an attractive partner for political actors seeking to develop control over regional neighborhoods. This has actually led to transforming what was initially a transportation employees’ union into what some critics describe as a sophisticated 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 numerous reports, he has contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of notable participation 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 legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of interrupting polling units and intimidating voters, particularly those perceived to be opposition advocates.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has actually caused various legal difficulties. Significant 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 necessary electoral procedures.

Future Implications

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

While his fans celebrate his ability to preserve order and structure within the transportation sector, critics fret about the possible across the country expansion of what they see as an unsafe combination of transportation union power and political influence.

The appointment also raises broader concerns 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 face concerns of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic consistency, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of intense dispute and analysis.

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

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