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MC Oluomo elected NURTW national president – Blueprint Newspapers Limited

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

In an advancement that has sparked both event and concern throughout Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely referred to as MC Oluomo, has actually 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 occurred at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a significant milestone in the controversial figure’s career trajectory while raising major concerns about the intersection of transport 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 prospect.

The procedure 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 appointment of Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President of South-West and Akeem Adeosun as trustee from the zone.

In his acceptance speech, MC Oluomo called for unity within the union, specifying, “I have actually forgiven everybody who upset me, and I want those I offended would forgive me also. This is our union, and we need to be devoted to its conservation. We will not permit anybody to damage our means of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

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

Claims of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transportation union structures for political purposes marked his period as the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NURTW.

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

He was recorded 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 declared the statement was a joke made to a buddy nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event caused prevalent condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The after-effects of his risks emerged in election day violence, where political punks apparently performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo citizens, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the development of a petition calling for international 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 transport 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 design and alleged use of union resources for individual gain as substantial issues.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s management design is undesirable. He used union resources for personal gain, overlooking members’ well-being.” They likewise raised concerns about his ability to successfully lead the national body, pointing to his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management design.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has developed from a basic trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, frequently functioning as a crucial grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote areas, has actually made it an attractive partner for political actors looking for to develop control over local neighborhoods. This has actually caused changing what was originally a transportation employees’ union into what some critics describe as an advanced network for political mobilization and, in some cases, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

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

His methods of operation have actually typically been criticized for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was accused of interrupting ballot units and intimidating voters, especially those perceived to be opposition advocates.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has actually caused numerous legal difficulties. Notable among these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to distribute election materials in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of vital electoral processes.

Future Implications

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

While his advocates commemorate his capability to maintain order and structure within the transport sector, critics stress over the potential across the country expansion of what they view as a hazardous blend of transportation union power and political impact.

The consultation also raises wider questions about the requirement for reform within Nigeria’s transportation union structure and the relationship in between labour unions and political power.

As the nation continues to come to grips with problems of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic consistency, the function of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a topic of extreme debate and examination.

This advancement works as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the impact of non-state stars in the country’s political procedures.

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