MC Oluomo elected NURTW national president – Punch Newspapers
MC Oluomo’s Controversial Rise: From Transport Union Leader to National NURTW President
In a development that has actually stimulated both event and concern across Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, popularly called 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 happened at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a significant milestone in the controversial figure’s profession trajectory while raising severe questions 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 prospect.
The procedure 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 appointment 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 angered me, and I wish those I offended would forgive me also. This is our union, and we must be devoted to its conservation. We will not allow anybody to damage our means of income.”
A Controversial Past
Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national 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 significantly, during the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo gained nationwide attention for his questionable role in election-related violence and voter intimidation.
He was caught on video making threats against Igbo voters in Lagos State, cautioning them to either choose the judgment 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 event caused prevalent condemnation and requires his arrest.
The consequences of his hazards emerged in election day violence, where political goons supposedly performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo citizens, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the production of a petition requiring worldwide travel bans versus him, citing his role in prompting ethnic violence.
Opposition and Concerns
The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation employees, has 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 alleged use of union resources for personal gain as substantial issues.
The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s management design is undesirable. He utilized union resources for personal gain, disregarding members’ welfare.” They likewise raised concerns about his capability to successfully 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 developed from a simple trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has actually ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically working as an important grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.
The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has actually made it an appealing partner for political stars looking for to develop control over regional communities. This has led to transforming what was initially a transportation workers’ union into what some critics describe as an advanced network for political mobilization and, sometimes, intimidation.
Political Influence and Violence
MC Oluomo’s increase exhibits the complex relationship between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in numerous reports, he has been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including notable participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.
His methods of operation have actually frequently been slammed for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of interfering with polling units 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 different legal difficulties. Noteworthy amongst these was a court order during the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to distribute election materials in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of important electoral procedures.
Future Implications
As MC Oluomo assumes the nationwide leadership of the NURTW, concerns stay about the union’s future direction and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.
While his fans celebrate his capability to preserve order and structure within the transport sector, critics worry about the possible across the country expansion of what they view as a harmful blend of transportation union power and political influence.
The consultation also raises more comprehensive 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 grapple with concerns of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic harmony, the function of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a topic of extreme dispute and analysis.
This development works as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the influence of non-state actors in the country’s political procedures.
As MC Oluomo begins his period as National President, his actions will be closely enjoyed by supporters and critics alike, with considerable ramifications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s wider political landscape.