MC Oluomo elected NURTW National President – Leadership Newspaper

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

In a development that has stimulated both celebration and issue throughout Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, commonly known 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 occurred at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a substantial milestone in the questionable 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– participated in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole prospect.

The process 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 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 everyone who angered me, and I want those I angered would forgive me too. This is our union, and we should be devoted to its preservation. We will not enable anyone to ruin our ways of income.”

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency features significant baggage 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 significantly, throughout the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo acquired national attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

He was caught on video making threats against Igbo voters in Lagos State, alerting them to either elect the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later claimed the declaration was a joke made to a buddy nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the occurrence resulted in widespread condemnation and requires his arrest.

The aftermath of his hazards emerged in election day violence, where political thugs apparently conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo voters, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the development of a petition calling for global travel bans versus him, citing his function in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport workers, 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 questionable leadership design and declared use of union resources for individual gain as substantial concerns.

The group mentioned, “MC Oluomo’s management style is undesirable. He used union resources for personal gain, overlooking members’ welfare.” They likewise raised issues about his capability to successfully lead the nationwide 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 developed from an easy 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 serving as an essential grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has actually made it an appealing partner for political actors looking for to establish control over local neighborhoods. This has actually resulted in changing what was originally a transportation employees’ union into what some critics refer to as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, often, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s increase exemplifies the complex relationship in between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in numerous reports, he has actually been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of notable participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have typically been slammed for blurring the lines in between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of interrupting polling systems and intimidating citizens, especially those perceived to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

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

Future Implications

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

While his fans commemorate his ability to keep order and structure within the transportation sector, critics fret about the possible across the country growth of what they see as a dangerous combination of transportation union power and political impact.

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

As the country continues to come to grips with issues of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic consistency, the function of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of intense dispute and scrutiny.

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

As MC Oluomo starts his tenure as National President, his actions will be closely enjoyed by advocates and critics alike, with substantial implications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s more comprehensive political landscape.