Oluomo emerges NURTW national president – Tunde Ednut

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

In a development that has stimulated both celebration and concern across Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely known as MC Oluomo, has actually 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 happened at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a considerable turning point in the questionable figure’s profession trajectory while raising severe concerns about the crossway of transport unions and political power in Nigeria.

The Rise to Power

Delegates from 4 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 resulted in 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, specifying, “I have actually forgiven everybody who upset me, and I wish those I offended would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we must be devoted to its conservation. We will not enable anyone to destroy our ways of income.”

A Controversial Past

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

Accusations 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 especially, during the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo got national attention for his questionable function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was caught on video making threats versus Igbo voters in Lagos State, cautioning them to either vote for the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later on declared the statement was a joke made to a buddy nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event resulted in widespread condemnation and requires his arrest.

The aftermath of his risks emerged in election day violence, where political criminals apparently performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo citizens, avoiding lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the production of a petition calling for international travel restrictions against him, citing his role in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport employees, has actually 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 alleged use of union resources for individual gain as significant concerns.

The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s management design is inappropriate. He used union resources for individual gain, ignoring members’ welfare.” They also raised issues about his capability to successfully lead the national body, pointing to 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 evolved from a simple trade union into an effective political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often functioning as an important grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote locations, has actually made it an attractive partner for political stars seeking to establish control over local neighborhoods. This has led to changing what was originally a transport workers’ 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 rise exemplifies the complex relationship in between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded 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 slammed for blurring the lines between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was accused of interrupting ballot units and intimidating citizens, particularly those perceived to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has led to numerous legal obstacles. Noteworthy amongst these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to distribute election materials in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of necessary electoral processes.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo assumes the nationwide leadership of the NURTW, questions remain about the union’s future direction and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his supporters commemorate his capability to keep order and structure within the transportation sector, critics fret about the possible across the country expansion of what they see as a harmful blend of transportation union power and political influence.

The consultation likewise raises broader 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 grapple with concerns of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic harmony, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of intense debate and examination.

This development serves as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the influence of non-state stars in the nation’s political procedures.

As MC Oluomo begins his tenure as National President, his actions will be carefully viewed by fans and critics alike, with substantial implications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s wider political landscape.