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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 a development that has actually stimulated both event and concern throughout Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, commonly called MC Oluomo, has actually become the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following a consensus 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 substantial turning point in the questionable figure’s career trajectory while raising severe 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– participated in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole candidate.

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 likewise resulted in the appointment 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, specifying, “I have forgiven everybody who upset me, and I wish those I angered would forgive me also. This is our union, and we need to be devoted to its preservation. We will not enable anybody to destroy our ways of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

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

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

Most notably, during the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo acquired nationwide attention for his questionable role in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

He was recorded on video making threats versus Igbo citizens in Lagos State, alerting them to either choose the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on declared the statement was a joke made to a friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the incident led to widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The consequences of his hazards emerged in election day violence, where political hooligans supposedly performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo citizens, avoiding lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the creation of a petition calling for international travel bans against him, mentioning his function in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation 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 mentioned his questionable leadership style and declared use of union resources for individual gain as substantial concerns.

The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s leadership style is unacceptable. He utilized union resources for personal gain, overlooking members’ welfare.” They likewise raised issues about his ability to effectively lead the national body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management style.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually progressed from a basic trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically functioning as an essential grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has made it an attractive partner for political actors looking for to develop control over local communities. This has actually caused changing what was initially a transport 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 exemplifies 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 noteworthy participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have actually typically been slammed for blurring the lines between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was accused of interfering with polling systems and intimidating citizens, particularly those viewed to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has led to numerous legal obstacles. Noteworthy among these was a court order during the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to disperse election materials in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of necessary electoral processes.

Future Implications

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

While his advocates celebrate his ability to maintain order and structure within the transportation sector, critics fret about the possible across the country expansion of what they see as an unsafe blend of transport union power and political influence.

The appointment likewise raises wider questions 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 issues of democratic consolidation and ethnic harmony, the function of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of intense dispute and examination.

This advancement acts as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the impact of non-state actors in the nation’s political procedures.

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