MC Oluomo elected NURTW National President – Vanguard Newspaper

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

In a development that has actually sparked both event and concern throughout Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, commonly known as MC Oluomo, has emerged as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following a consensus 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 profession trajectory while raising serious questions about the crossway of transportation unions and political power in Nigeria.

The Rise to Power

Delegates from four South-West states– Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti– took part in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole candidate.

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 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, stating, “I have actually forgiven everybody who offended me, and I wish those I angered would forgive me too. 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

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

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

Most especially, during the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo got nationwide attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

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

The aftermath of his risks materialized in election day violence, where political criminals supposedly performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo citizens, avoiding lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the creation of a petition calling for global travel bans against 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 emphatically opposed MC Oluomo’s rise to power. In a communique signed by Comrade Taiwo Ariyo and Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the group cited his doubtful leadership design and declared use of union resources for personal gain as substantial issues.

The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s management style is unacceptable. He utilized union resources for personal gain, overlooking members’ welfare.” They also raised concerns about his capability to efficiently 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 actually developed from an easy trade union into an effective political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically working as an important grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote locations, has made it an appealing partner for political actors seeking to develop control over regional neighborhoods. This has led to transforming what was originally a transportation employees’ union into what some critics refer to as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, sometimes, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s rise exhibits the complex relationship in between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in different 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 slammed for blurring the lines between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of interfering with polling systems and daunting citizens, especially those viewed to be opposition fans.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has resulted in numerous legal obstacles. 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 necessary electoral procedures.

Future Implications

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

While his fans commemorate his ability to maintain order and structure within the transportation sector, critics worry about the possible nationwide growth of what they see as a harmful fusion of transport union power and political impact.

The visit also raises broader concerns about the requirement for reform within Nigeria’s transportation union structure and the relationship 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 argument and analysis.

This development acts as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the impact of non-state stars in the nation’s political processes.

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