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 actually sparked both celebration and issue throughout Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, has actually 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 occurred at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a considerable milestone in the questionable figure’s career trajectory while raising severe 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– participated in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole prospect.
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 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, stating, “I have forgiven everybody who offended me, and I wish those I angered would forgive me also. This is our union, and we should be dedicated to its preservation. We will not enable anyone to ruin our ways of livelihood.”
A Controversial Past
Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency includes considerable luggage and debate.
Accusations of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transport union structures for political functions marked his tenure as the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NURTW.
Most significantly, throughout the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo gained national attention for his questionable function in election-related violence and voter intimidation.
He was captured on video making threats against Igbo citizens in Lagos State, alerting them to either vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on claimed the statement was a joke made to a pal nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event led to extensive condemnation and requires his arrest.
The aftermath of his hazards emerged in election day violence, where political goons supposedly performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo voters, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the creation of a petition calling for global travel restrictions against him, citing his role in inciting ethnic violence.
Opposition and Concerns
The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport workers, 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 doubtful management design and alleged use of union resources for individual gain as considerable concerns.
The group mentioned, “MC Oluomo’s management style is undesirable. He utilized union resources for personal gain, neglecting members’ well-being.” They likewise raised concerns about his capability to effectively lead the nationwide body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management style.
The NURTW’s Evolution
The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has progressed from a basic trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, frequently acting as an essential grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.
The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote areas, has made it an appealing partner for political actors looking for to develop control over local communities. This has led to transforming what was initially a transport 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 exemplifies the complex relationship between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in various reports, he has been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including notable involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.
His methods of operation have often been slammed for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his company was accused of interfering with polling systems and daunting voters, particularly those viewed to be opposition supporters.
Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s management has resulted in various legal challenges. Notable amongst these was a court order throughout 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 assumes the nationwide leadership of the NURTW, questions stay about the union’s future instructions and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.
While his supporters celebrate his capability to maintain order and structure within the transport sector, critics stress over the possible across the country expansion of what they view as a dangerous fusion of transport union power and political impact.
The consultation likewise raises broader questions about the need for reform within Nigeria’s transportation union structure and the relationship in between labour unions and political power.
As the nation continues to come to grips with problems of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic harmony, the function of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of extreme debate and scrutiny.
This advancement functions as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the impact of non-state stars in the nation’s political procedures.
As MC Oluomo begins his tenure as National President, his actions will be closely seen by fans and critics alike, with significant implications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s more comprehensive political landscape.
