MC Oluomo emerges NURTW national president – Daily Post Nigeria

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

In a development that has triggered both celebration and issue throughout Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly 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 took place at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a substantial turning point in the controversial figure’s career trajectory while raising major questions about the crossway of transport 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 process 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 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 forgiven everybody who angered me, and I wish those I offended would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we need to be dedicated to its preservation. We will not permit anyone to damage our ways of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency features significant luggage and controversy.

Allegations 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, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo gained national attention for his questionable function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was caught on video making threats versus Igbo voters in Lagos State, alerting them to either choose the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on declared the declaration was a joke made to a good friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event resulted in widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The aftermath of his hazards emerged in election day violence, where political criminals allegedly carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to recognize Igbo citizens, preventing numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the creation of a petition requiring worldwide travel restrictions versus him, mentioning 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 doubtful leadership style and alleged use of union resources for individual gain as substantial issues.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s leadership design is unacceptable. He used union resources for individual gain, neglecting members’ well-being.” They also raised issues about his capability to efficiently lead the national body, pointing to his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management style.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually progressed from an easy trade union into an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, frequently functioning as a vital grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote locations, has made it an appealing partner for political actors seeking to develop control over local neighborhoods. This has led to changing what was originally a transport employees’ union into what some critics describe as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, in some cases, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s rise exhibits the complex relationship between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in various reports, he has actually been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including noteworthy involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have frequently been criticized for blurring the lines between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of interfering with polling systems and frightening voters, particularly those perceived to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has actually caused various legal obstacles. Significant amongst these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to disperse election materials in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of important electoral procedures.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo assumes the nationwide leadership of the NURTW, concerns remain about the union’s future direction and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his advocates celebrate his capability to keep order and structure within the transportation sector, critics fret about the potential nationwide growth of what they see as a hazardous blend of transport union power and political impact.

The visit also raises wider concerns 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 face problems of democratic combination and ethnic consistency, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of extreme dispute and examination.

This advancement functions as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the influence of non-state stars in the country’s political procedures.

As MC Oluomo starts his period as National President, his actions will be closely viewed by advocates and critics alike, with significant implications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s more comprehensive political landscape.