MC Oluomo elected NURTW national president – Tribune Online

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

In a development that has stimulated both event and issue throughout Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, widely called MC Oluomo, has 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 road in Osun State, marks a significant milestone in the questionable figure’s career trajectory while raising serious questions about the intersection 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 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 called for unity within the union, stating, “I have forgiven everybody who offended me, and I want those I angered would forgive me too. This is our union, and we should be dedicated to its conservation. We will not permit anyone to destroy our means of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency comes with significant baggage and debate.

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 especially, during the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo gained national attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

He was captured on video making threats versus Igbo voters in Lagos State, alerting them to either elect the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on claimed the statement was a joke made to a buddy nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the incident resulted in widespread condemnation and requires his arrest.

The aftermath of his risks materialized in election day violence, where political punks allegedly carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo citizens, preventing numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the creation of a petition requiring worldwide travel bans 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 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 specified, “MC Oluomo’s management design is undesirable. He used union resources for personal gain, ignoring members’ well-being.” They also raised issues about his ability to effectively lead the nationwide body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his questionable management style.

The NURTW’s Evolution

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

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 regional communities. This has resulted in changing what was initially a transportation 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 exemplifies the complex relationship between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in numerous reports, he has been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of notable participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have actually frequently been slammed for blurring the lines in between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of interfering with ballot systems and frightening citizens, particularly those viewed to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has actually caused different legal challenges. Significant amongst these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to disperse election products in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of vital electoral procedures.

Future Implications

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

While his fans commemorate his capability to keep order and structure within the transport sector, critics fret about the possible nationwide expansion of what they view as a harmful combination of transport union power and political influence.

The visit likewise raises broader questions about the requirement for reform within Nigeria’s transportation union structure and the relationship between labour unions and political power.

As the country continues to grapple with concerns of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic consistency, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of intense dispute and analysis.

This development functions as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the impact of non-state actors in the country’s political procedures.

As MC Oluomo starts his tenure as National President, his actions will be closely enjoyed by fans and critics alike, with substantial ramifications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s wider political landscape.