MC Oluomo elected as NURTW president – Ripples Nigeria

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

In a development that has triggered both event and concern across Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, widely referred to as MC Oluomo, has emerged as 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 significant milestone in the questionable figure’s profession trajectory while raising major concerns about the crossway of transportation 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 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 likewise 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, mentioning, “I have forgiven everybody who offended me, and I wish those I offended would forgive me also. This is our union, and we should be committed to its conservation. We will not enable anyone to destroy our methods of income.”

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency comes with significant baggage and controversy.

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

Most significantly, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo acquired national attention for his questionable function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was recorded on video making threats against Igbo voters in Lagos State, cautioning them to either vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on declared the declaration was a joke made to a good friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the occurrence resulted in prevalent condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The after-effects of his hazards emerged in election day violence, where political punks supposedly performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo voters, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the production of a petition calling for global travel bans versus him, citing 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 cited his doubtful management design and declared use of union resources for personal gain as substantial concerns.

The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s leadership style is unacceptable. He used union resources for personal gain, neglecting members’ well-being.” They also raised issues about his ability to efficiently 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 successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually progressed from a basic trade union into an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically serving as an essential grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote locations, has actually made it an attractive partner for political stars seeking to develop control over local communities. This has actually led to transforming what was initially a transportation 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 increase exhibits the complex relationship in between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in numerous reports, he has contributed 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 actually often been criticized for blurring the lines between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was accused of interfering with polling units and intimidating citizens, particularly those viewed to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has actually caused numerous legal difficulties. Noteworthy among these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to distribute election materials in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of essential electoral procedures.

Future Implications

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

While his supporters celebrate his ability to keep order and structure within the transport sector, critics stress over the prospective across the country growth of what they view as a hazardous blend of transportation union power and political influence.

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

As the country continues to face concerns of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic harmony, the function of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of extreme argument and scrutiny.

This development serves as a critical 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 period as National President, his actions will be carefully watched by fans and critics alike, with considerable implications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s more comprehensive political landscape.