MC Oluomo emerges NURTW national president – Nairaland Forum

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

In a development that has sparked both celebration and issue throughout Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, widely called MC Oluomo, has actually 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 road in Osun State, marks a considerable turning point in the questionable figure’s career trajectory while raising serious 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 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 led to 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 required unity within the union, stating, “I have forgiven everyone who upset me, and I wish those I offended would forgive me too. This is our union, and we should be devoted to its conservation. We will not enable anybody to damage our methods of income.”

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency includes significant luggage and controversy.

Claims of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transport union structures for political purposes marked his period as the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NURTW.

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

He was recorded on video making threats versus Igbo voters 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 occurrence led to widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The consequences of his dangers materialized in election day violence, where political hooligans allegedly conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo citizens, preventing numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the production of a petition calling for global travel restrictions versus him, citing his role in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation employees, 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 significant concerns.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s management design is unacceptable. He used union resources for individual gain, ignoring members’ welfare.” They likewise raised issues about his capability 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 evolved from an easy trade union into an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often acting as an essential grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has made it an attractive partner for political actors seeking to develop control over local neighborhoods. This has caused changing what was initially a transportation employees’ 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 rise exemplifies the complex relationship in between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in various reports, he has actually contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including noteworthy participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have actually typically been criticized for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was accused of interfering with ballot units and intimidating citizens, particularly those perceived to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s management has led to different legal difficulties. 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 concerns about the politicization of essential electoral processes.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo presumes the national leadership of the NURTW, concerns remain about the union’s future instructions and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his advocates commemorate his capability to preserve order and structure within the transport sector, critics stress over the prospective across the country growth of what they view as a dangerous combination of transport union power and political impact.

The appointment likewise raises wider 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 face concerns of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic consistency, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of extreme dispute and analysis.

This development functions as a defining 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 period as National President, his actions will be closely viewed by fans and critics alike, with considerable ramifications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s wider political landscape.