MC Oluomo elected NURTW national president – Peoples Gazette Nigeria
MC Oluomo’s Controversial Rise: From Transport Union Leader to National NURTW President
In an advancement that has actually sparked both event and concern throughout Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, commonly known as MC Oluomo, has actually emerged as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following an agreement 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 considerable milestone in the controversial figure’s career trajectory while raising severe questions 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 monitored 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 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, mentioning, “I have actually forgiven everybody who upset me, and I want those I upset would forgive me too. This is our union, and we should be dedicated to its conservation. We will not enable anybody to ruin our ways of livelihood.”
A Controversial Past
However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency features substantial baggage 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 general elections, MC Oluomo acquired nationwide attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.
He was captured on video making threats versus Igbo citizens in Lagos State, alerting them to either choose the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later declared the declaration was a joke made to a buddy nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the incident caused widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.
The aftermath of his threats emerged in election day violence, where political goons apparently performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to recognize Igbo citizens, avoiding lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the creation of a petition requiring worldwide travel restrictions against 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 declared use of union resources for individual gain as substantial concerns.
The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s leadership style is inappropriate. He utilized union resources for individual gain, ignoring 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 questionable management style.
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 nearly 2 million members, the union has actually ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, frequently acting as a crucial grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.
The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has actually made it an attractive partner for political actors seeking to establish control over local communities. This has caused changing 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 rise exhibits the complex relationship between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in various reports, he has been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of notable involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.
His methods of operation have actually typically been criticized for blurring the lines between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of disrupting polling units and intimidating citizens, especially those viewed to be opposition fans.
Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has resulted in different legal obstacles. Noteworthy 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 concerns about the politicization of important electoral processes.
Future Implications
As MC Oluomo assumes the nationwide leadership of the NURTW, questions remain about the union’s future instructions and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.
While his supporters commemorate his capability to keep order and structure within the transportation sector, critics worry about the possible nationwide expansion of what they see as an unsafe fusion of transportation union power and political influence.
The consultation also raises broader concerns about the need for reform within Nigeria’s transportation union structure and the relationship between labour unions and political power.
As the country continues to grapple with problems of democratic consolidation and ethnic harmony, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of intense dispute and analysis.
This advancement acts as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the impact of non-state stars in the country’s political processes.
As MC Oluomo begins his tenure as National President, his actions will be closely seen by advocates and critics alike, with substantial implications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.
