MC Oluomo elected NURTW National President – Nairaland

MC Oluomo’s Controversial Rise: From Transport Union Leader to National NURTW President

In an advancement that has actually triggered both event and concern across Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly referred to as 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 took place at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a substantial milestone in the questionable figure’s career trajectory while raising major questions about the crossway 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 resulted in 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, mentioning, “I have forgiven everyone who angered me, and I want those I upset would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we must be dedicated to its conservation. We will not permit anybody to damage our methods of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency includes considerable baggage and debate.

Accusations of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transport union structures for political functions marked his tenure as the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NURTW.

Most especially, throughout the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo acquired national attention for his questionable function in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

He was recorded on video making threats against Igbo citizens in Lagos State, alerting them to either elect the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later on declared the declaration was a joke made to a good friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event led to prevalent condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The after-effects of his dangers materialized in election day violence, where political criminals apparently performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo citizens, preventing many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the production of a petition calling for international travel bans versus him, citing his role in inciting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation employees, has actually vehemently opposed MC Oluomo’s rise to power. In a communique signed by Comrade Taiwo Ariyo and Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the group mentioned 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 inappropriate. He used union resources for individual gain, overlooking members’ well-being.” They likewise raised issues about his capability to effectively lead the nationwide body, indicating 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 evolved from a simple trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often serving 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 actors looking for to develop control over local neighborhoods. This has actually caused changing what was originally a transportation employees’ union into what some critics refer to as a sophisticated 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 recorded in numerous reports, he has contributed 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. During the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of interrupting polling units and daunting voters, especially those viewed to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s management has resulted in various legal obstacles. Noteworthy among these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to distribute election materials in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of essential electoral procedures.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo assumes the national leadership of the NURTW, concerns stay about the union’s future instructions and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his supporters celebrate his capability to maintain order and structure within the transport sector, critics fret about the potential across the country growth of what they see as a hazardous blend of transport union power and political influence.

The appointment 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 face issues of democratic combination and ethnic harmony, the function of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of intense argument and analysis.

This development acts as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the influence 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 fans and critics alike, with substantial ramifications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s more comprehensive political landscape.