MC Oluomo elected NURTW National President – Channels TV
MC Oluomo’s Controversial Rise: From Transport Union Leader to National NURTW President
In an advancement that has actually triggered both celebration and issue across Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, popularly known 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 occurred at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a substantial turning point in the controversial figure’s career trajectory while raising severe concerns about the crossway of transportation 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 candidate.
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 led to the consultation of Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President of South-West and Akeem Adeosun as trustee from the zone.
In his acceptance speech, MC Oluomo required unity within the union, mentioning, “I have actually forgiven everybody who offended me, and I want those I offended would forgive me too. This is our union, and we need to be committed to its conservation. We will not enable anyone to ruin our ways of income.”
A Controversial Past
Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency includes considerable luggage and controversy.
Allegations of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transportation union structures for political purposes marked his period as the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NURTW.
Most significantly, during the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo gained national 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, warning them to either vote for the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on declared the declaration was a joke made to a buddy nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the incident caused widespread condemnation and requires his arrest.
The aftermath of his threats materialized in election day violence, where political thugs supposedly carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo voters, avoiding many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the development of a petition calling for global travel bans against 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 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 questionable management style and declared use of union resources for personal gain as considerable issues.
The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s management style is undesirable. He utilized union resources for individual gain, disregarding members’ well-being.” They also raised concerns about his capability to efficiently lead the national 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 progressed from an easy trade union into an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has actually ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often functioning as an important grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.
The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has made it an appealing partner for political actors looking for to establish control over local communities. This has resulted in transforming what was originally a transport employees’ union into what some critics describe as an advanced network for political mobilization and, often, intimidation.
Political Influence and Violence
MC Oluomo’s increase exhibits the complex relationship in between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in different reports, he has been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including significant involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.
His methods of operation have actually typically been slammed for blurring the lines between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was accused of disrupting polling units and frightening citizens, particularly those perceived to be opposition advocates.
Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has actually resulted in different legal difficulties. Notable amongst these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to distribute election materials in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of vital electoral procedures.
Future Implications
As MC Oluomo presumes the national management of the NURTW, concerns stay about the union’s future direction and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.
While his advocates celebrate his capability to maintain order and structure within the transport sector, critics fret about the possible nationwide expansion of what they see as an unsafe combination of transport union power and political impact.
The visit also raises wider 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 grapple with problems of democratic consolidation and ethnic consistency, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of extreme argument and analysis.
This development functions as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the impact of non-state actors in the country’s political processes.
As MC Oluomo begins his period as National President, his actions will be carefully watched by advocates and critics alike, with considerable implications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s wider political landscape.