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 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 questionable figure’s profession trajectory while raising serious questions about the intersection 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 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 led to 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, stating, “I have actually forgiven everybody who offended me, and I wish those I upset would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we should be committed to its conservation. We will not allow anybody to ruin our means of income.”
A Controversial Past
Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency includes significant luggage and controversy.
Claims of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transport union structures for political purposes marked his period as the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NURTW.
Most significantly, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo acquired nationwide attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.
He was recorded on video making threats versus Igbo citizens in Lagos State, warning them to either elect the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later declared the statement was a joke made to a good friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the occurrence led to prevalent condemnation and requires his arrest.
The after-effects of his hazards materialized in election day violence, where political hooligans apparently carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo citizens, preventing many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the development of a petition calling for international travel bans versus him, citing his function in prompting ethnic violence.
Opposition and Concerns
The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation workers, 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 leadership style and declared use of union resources for personal gain as considerable issues.
The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s management style is unacceptable. He utilized union resources for personal gain, disregarding members’ well-being.” They also raised issues about his ability to efficiently lead the nationwide body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his questionable management design.
The NURTW’s Evolution
The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually progressed from a simple trade union into an effective political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often serving as an important 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 stars looking for to develop control over regional communities. This has actually led to transforming what was initially a transportation workers’ union into what some critics describe as an advanced network for political mobilization and, often, 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 often been criticized for blurring the lines in between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his organization was accused of interrupting ballot units and frightening citizens, particularly those perceived to be opposition advocates.
Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s management 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 disperse election materials in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of vital electoral procedures.
Future Implications
As MC Oluomo presumes the nationwide leadership of the NURTW, concerns stay about the union’s future direction and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.
While his advocates celebrate his ability to preserve order and structure within the transport sector, critics worry about the prospective nationwide growth of what they view as a dangerous combination of transportation union power and political influence.
The visit also raises broader questions about the need for reform within Nigeria’s transportation union structure and the relationship in between labour unions and political power.
As the country continues to grapple with concerns of democratic consolidation and ethnic consistency, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of extreme dispute and examination.
This development works 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 begins his period as National President, his actions will be closely seen by advocates and critics alike, with substantial ramifications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.
