MC Oluomo emerges NURTW President – Peoples Gazette Nigeria
MC Oluomo’s Controversial Rise: From Transport Union Leader to National NURTW President
In an advancement that has triggered both celebration and issue throughout Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, widely 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 took place at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a significant turning point in the questionable figure’s profession trajectory while raising serious 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– 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 also led to the visit 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 forgiven everybody who offended me, and I wish those I angered would forgive me too. This is our union, and we should be committed to its preservation. We will not permit anybody to ruin our ways of income.”
A Controversial Past
Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency features considerable baggage and controversy.
Allegations of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transportation union structures for political functions marked his period as the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NURTW.
Most notably, throughout the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo acquired nationwide attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and voter intimidation.
He was caught on video making threats against Igbo citizens in Lagos State, alerting them to either choose the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later claimed the statement was a joke made to a friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the occurrence resulted in extensive condemnation and calls for his arrest.
The aftermath of his risks emerged in election day violence, where political goons presumably conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo citizens, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the production of a petition calling for international travel restrictions against him, citing his function in inciting ethnic violence.
Opposition and Concerns
The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport workers, has 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 design and declared use of union resources for individual gain as considerable issues.
The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s leadership style is unacceptable. He used union resources for individual gain, disregarding members’ well-being.” They likewise raised issues about his capability to successfully lead the national body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his questionable management style.
The NURTW’s Evolution
The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually evolved from an easy trade union into a powerful political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has 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 major cities to remote areas, has actually made it an appealing partner for political actors looking for to establish control over regional neighborhoods. This has resulted in transforming what was originally a transport employees’ union into what some critics describe as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, in some cases, 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 different reports, he has actually contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including 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 genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of interfering with polling units and daunting voters, especially those viewed to be opposition supporters.
Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s management has actually caused various legal obstacles. Notable among these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to distribute election products in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of important electoral processes.
Future Implications
As MC Oluomo presumes the national management of the NURTW, questions remain about the union’s future direction and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.
While his advocates commemorate his capability to preserve order and structure within the transportation sector, critics stress over the possible nationwide expansion of what they see as a dangerous blend of transportation union power and political impact.
The consultation 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 come to grips with problems of democratic consolidation and ethnic harmony, the function of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of extreme dispute and examination.
This development works as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the impact of non-state actors in the country’s political procedures.
As MC Oluomo begins his tenure as National President, his actions will be carefully viewed by advocates and critics alike, with considerable implications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.
