MC Oluomo elected NURTW national president – Businessday NG
MC Oluomo’s Controversial Rise: From Transport Union Leader to National NURTW President
In an advancement that has stimulated both event and concern across Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly referred to 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 happened at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a substantial milestone in the controversial figure’s career trajectory while raising major concerns about the crossway of transport 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 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 visit 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 everyone who offended me, and I wish those I offended would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we must be dedicated to its conservation. We will not enable anyone to ruin our methods of livelihood.”
A Controversial Past
However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency includes significant baggage and debate.
Claims 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, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo gained nationwide attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and voter intimidation.
He was recorded on video making threats against Igbo voters in Lagos State, warning them to either vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later claimed the declaration was a joke made to a good friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the incident resulted in prevalent condemnation and requires his arrest.
The aftermath of his risks materialized in election day violence, where political goons apparently conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo voters, preventing lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the production of a petition requiring worldwide 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 workers, 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 significant concerns.
The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s management style is unacceptable. He utilized union resources for individual gain, disregarding members’ welfare.” They also raised concerns about his capability to effectively lead the national body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management design.
The NURTW’s Evolution
The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has evolved from a basic trade union into an effective political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often functioning as an essential grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.
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 communities. This has actually led to changing what was originally 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 increase exhibits the complex relationship between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in different reports, he has actually contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including notable participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.
His methods of operation have often been slammed for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his organization was accused of interfering with ballot units and intimidating voters, especially those perceived to be opposition supporters.
Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s management has caused various legal challenges. Notable among these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to disperse election products in Lagos State, highlighting issues 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 instructions and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.
While his fans commemorate his capability to keep order and structure within the transportation sector, critics stress over the prospective across the country expansion of what they see as an unsafe blend of transportation union power and political influence.
The appointment also raises wider concerns about the requirement for reform within Nigeria’s transport union structure and the relationship between labour unions and political power.
As the country continues to come to grips with concerns of democratic combination and ethnic consistency, the function of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of intense debate and scrutiny.
This development serves as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions 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 carefully watched by supporters and critics alike, with considerable ramifications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s wider political landscape.