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 sparked both event and concern across Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely called MC Oluomo, has become the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following an agreement 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 milestone in the controversial figure’s career trajectory while raising major concerns 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 likewise 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 upset me, and I wish those I offended would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we should be devoted to its preservation. We will not allow anybody to damage our means of income.”
A Controversial Past
However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency includes substantial baggage and controversy.
Claims 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 notably, during the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo gained nationwide attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and voter intimidation.
He was captured on video making threats against Igbo citizens in Lagos State, warning them to either choose the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later declared the declaration was a joke made to a pal nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the incident led to prevalent condemnation and requires his arrest.
The after-effects of his threats emerged in election day violence, where political punks allegedly conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo voters, preventing numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the creation of a petition calling for worldwide travel bans versus him, mentioning 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 mentioned his doubtful management design and alleged use of union resources for individual gain as substantial concerns.
The group mentioned, “MC Oluomo‘s leadership style is inappropriate. He utilized union resources for individual gain, ignoring members’ welfare.” They also raised concerns about his capability to successfully 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 follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has progressed from a simple 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, frequently working as a vital grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.
The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote locations, has actually made it an attractive partner for political stars seeking to establish control over local neighborhoods. This has actually caused changing what was originally a transportation workers’ union into what some critics refer to as an advanced network for political mobilization and, in some cases, intimidation.
Political Influence and Violence
MC Oluomo’s increase exhibits the complex relationship between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in numerous reports, he has been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of noteworthy participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.
His methods of operation have frequently been slammed for blurring the lines between genuine union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of disrupting ballot units and intimidating citizens, particularly those viewed to be opposition supporters.
Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s management has caused numerous legal obstacles. Noteworthy amongst these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to disperse election materials in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of important electoral processes.
Future Implications
As MC Oluomo presumes the nationwide leadership of the NURTW, questions stay about the union’s future instructions and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.
While his supporters commemorate his capability to maintain order and structure within the transport sector, critics worry about the prospective nationwide growth of what they see as a hazardous blend of transportation union power and political influence.
The consultation likewise raises broader questions about the need for reform within Nigeria’s transport union structure and the relationship in 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 prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of intense argument and scrutiny.
This advancement serves as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the influence of non-state actors in the nation’s political procedures.
As MC Oluomo starts his tenure as National President, his actions will be carefully watched by supporters and critics alike, with substantial implications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.
