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 actually stimulated both celebration and issue throughout Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly called 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 took place at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a considerable milestone in the controversial figure’s profession trajectory while raising serious concerns about the crossway 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 likewise 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 called for unity within the union, stating, “I have actually forgiven everybody who angered me, and I wish those I upset would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we need to be dedicated to its conservation. We will not enable anyone to damage our means of livelihood.”
A Controversial Past
However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency comes with significant baggage and debate.
Accusations 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 acquired nationwide attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.
He was captured on video making threats versus Igbo voters in Lagos State, alerting them to either elect the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later claimed the statement was a joke made to a buddy nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the occurrence caused extensive condemnation and calls for his arrest.
The consequences of his threats emerged in election day violence, where political hooligans allegedly carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo citizens, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the creation of a petition requiring global travel restrictions versus him, citing his role in prompting 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 questionable management design and alleged use of union resources for personal gain as significant issues.
The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s management design is unacceptable. He used union resources for personal gain, overlooking members’ welfare.” They also raised issues about his ability to efficiently 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 developed from an easy trade union into an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often functioning as an essential grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.
The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote areas, has made it an attractive partner for political actors looking for to establish control over regional neighborhoods. This has caused changing what was originally a transport workers’ union into what some critics describe as an advanced network for political mobilization and, sometimes, intimidation.
Political Influence and Violence
MC Oluomo’s rise exemplifies the complex relationship in between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in numerous 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 frequently been criticized for blurring the lines between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his company was accused of disrupting polling units and intimidating voters, especially those perceived to be opposition fans.
Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s management has actually resulted in different legal challenges. Noteworthy among these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that prevented 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 national management of the NURTW, concerns remain about the union’s future instructions and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.
While his fans commemorate his ability to keep order and structure within the transportation sector, critics worry about the possible nationwide expansion of what they view as an unsafe fusion of transport union power and political impact.
The visit likewise raises more comprehensive questions about the requirement for reform within Nigeria’s transport union structure and the relationship between labour unions and political power.
As the nation continues to grapple with problems of democratic consolidation and ethnic consistency, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of intense argument and scrutiny.
This advancement works 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 processes.
As MC Oluomo starts his tenure as National President, his actions will be closely seen by supporters and critics alike, with substantial ramifications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s more comprehensive political landscape.
