MC Oluomo elected as NURTW president – The Nation Newspaper

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

In an advancement that has actually triggered both celebration and issue throughout Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, popularly known 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 controversial figure’s profession trajectory while raising severe concerns about the intersection of transportation 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 prospect.

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 likewise resulted in 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, mentioning, “I have actually forgiven everybody who angered me, and I want those I angered would forgive me also. This is our union, and we should be devoted to its preservation. We will not allow anyone to damage our methods of income.”

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency features significant baggage and controversy.

Allegations 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 notably, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo got nationwide attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was recorded on video making threats versus Igbo voters in Lagos State, cautioning them to either elect the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on claimed the declaration was a joke made to a good friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event resulted in prevalent condemnation and requires his arrest.

The consequences of his risks emerged in election day violence, where political goons supposedly performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to recognize Igbo citizens, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the creation of a petition requiring worldwide travel bans versus him, citing his function in inciting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport 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 cited his questionable management design and declared use of union resources for personal gain as considerable concerns.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s management style is undesirable. He utilized union resources for individual gain, ignoring members’ well-being.” They also raised concerns about his ability to effectively lead the national 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 progressed from an easy trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically functioning 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 stars seeking to develop control over regional neighborhoods. This has actually caused changing what was initially a transportation employees’ union into what some critics describe as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, often, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s rise exhibits the complex relationship between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in different reports, he has actually contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of noteworthy involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have often been criticized for blurring the lines between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was accused of disrupting ballot units and frightening voters, especially those perceived to be opposition fans.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has resulted in different legal obstacles. Significant amongst these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to distribute election materials in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of essential electoral processes.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo presumes the nationwide management of the NURTW, concerns stay about the union’s future instructions and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his fans celebrate his capability to keep order and structure within the transport sector, critics stress over the potential across the country growth of what they view as a harmful blend of transportation union power and political impact.

The consultation also raises more comprehensive concerns 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 come to grips with problems of democratic combination and ethnic harmony, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of intense debate and examination.

This development functions as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the influence of non-state actors in the country’s political processes.

As MC Oluomo begins his period as National President, his actions will be carefully viewed by fans and critics alike, with considerable ramifications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.