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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 sparked both celebration and issue across Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely known as MC Oluomo, has 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 occurred at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a significant turning point in the questionable figure’s career trajectory while raising serious 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– participated in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole prospect.
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 also resulted in the visit 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, mentioning, “I have forgiven everybody who angered 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 permit anyone to ruin our ways of income.”
A Controversial Past
Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency includes significant baggage and controversy.
Allegations 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 notably, throughout the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo acquired national attention for his questionable function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.
He was captured on video making threats against Igbo citizens in Lagos State, warning them to either vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on declared the statement was a joke made to a good friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the incident caused widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.
The aftermath of his threats materialized in election day violence, where political criminals allegedly conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo voters, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the development of a petition requiring international travel restrictions 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 doubtful leadership design and alleged use of union resources for individual gain as considerable concerns.
The group mentioned, “MC Oluomo’s leadership design is inappropriate. He used union resources for individual gain, disregarding members’ welfare.” They likewise raised concerns about his ability to efficiently lead the national body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his questionable management style.
The NURTW’s Evolution
The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually developed from an easy trade union into an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically acting as a crucial grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.
The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has made it an appealing partner for political actors looking for to develop control over regional communities. This has actually caused changing what was originally a transport employees’ union into what some critics refer to as an advanced network for political mobilization and, in some cases, intimidation.
Political Influence and Violence
MC Oluomo‘s increase exemplifies the complex relationship between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in different 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 frequently been criticized for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his organization was accused of disrupting ballot units and daunting citizens, particularly those viewed to be opposition supporters.
Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s management has caused various legal difficulties. Noteworthy among these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to distribute election products in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of essential electoral procedures.
Future Implications
As MC Oluomo assumes the nationwide management of the NURTW, concerns remain about the union’s future instructions and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.
While his fans celebrate his capability to preserve order and structure within the transport sector, critics stress over the potential across the country growth of what they see as an unsafe fusion of transportation union power and political influence.
The consultation also raises broader questions about the need for reform within Nigeria’s transport union structure and the relationship in between labour unions and political power.
As the country continues to come to grips with problems of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic harmony, the function of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of intense debate and scrutiny.
This advancement functions as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the impact of non-state actors in the nation’s political processes.
As MC Oluomo begins his period as National President, his actions will be closely viewed by supporters and critics alike, with considerable implications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s wider political landscape.
