MC Oluomo elected NURTW national president – Blueprint Newspapers Limited
MC Oluomo’s Controversial Rise: From Transport Union Leader to National NURTW President
In a development that has stimulated both celebration and issue throughout Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, commonly known as 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 considerable milestone in the controversial figure’s profession trajectory while raising serious concerns about the crossway of transport 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 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 resulted in the visit of Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President of South-West and Akeem Adeosun as trustee from the zone.
In his acceptance speech, MC Oluomo called for unity within the union, mentioning, “I have forgiven everybody who angered me, and I want those I offended would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we must be dedicated to its preservation. We will not allow anybody to destroy our methods of livelihood.”
A Controversial Past
Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency includes significant luggage and debate.
Accusations of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transportation union structures for political purposes marked his tenure as the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NURTW.
Most significantly, during the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo gained nationwide attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and voter intimidation.
He was recorded on video making threats against Igbo voters in Lagos State, warning them to either vote for the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later claimed the declaration was a joke made to a good friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the incident resulted in widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.
The after-effects of his threats emerged in election day violence, where political punks apparently conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo voters, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the production of a petition calling for international travel bans against him, citing his function in inciting ethnic violence.
Opposition and Concerns
The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation workers, has actually emphatically opposed MC Oluomo‘s rise to power. In a communique signed by Comrade Taiwo Ariyo and Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the group mentioned his questionable leadership design and declared use of union resources for individual gain as considerable issues.
The group mentioned, “MC Oluomo’s management design is unacceptable. He used union resources for personal gain, disregarding members’ welfare.” They likewise raised issues about his ability 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 developed from a basic trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically serving as a vital 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 seeking to establish control over regional communities. This has actually led to transforming what was originally a transport employees’ 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 transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in numerous reports, he has actually been instrumental 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 actually typically been criticized for blurring the lines in between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of interrupting polling units and intimidating citizens, especially those viewed to be opposition supporters.
Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has resulted in different legal difficulties. Significant amongst these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to distribute election materials in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of essential electoral processes.
Future Implications
As MC Oluomo presumes the nationwide management of the NURTW, concerns remain about the union’s future instructions and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.
While his advocates celebrate his ability to preserve order and structure within the transportation sector, critics worry about the possible across the country growth of what they see as a dangerous fusion of transport union power and political influence.
The appointment likewise raises wider questions about the need for reform within Nigeria’s transport 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 stay a subject of intense dispute and analysis.
This advancement acts as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the impact of non-state stars in the country’s political procedures.
As MC Oluomo starts his tenure as National President, his actions will be carefully watched by advocates and critics alike, with significant implications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.
