MC Oluomo elected NURTW national president – Businessday NG

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

In a development that has sparked both event and issue throughout Nigeria’s transportation 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 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 considerable turning point in the controversial figure’s career trajectory while raising severe questions 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– took part in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole candidate.

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 consultation 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 upset would forgive me too. This is our union, and we need to be devoted to its conservation. We will not permit anybody to damage our methods of income.”

A Controversial Past

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

Claims 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 significantly, during the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo gained national attention for his questionable role in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was recorded on video making threats against Igbo voters in Lagos State, warning them to either vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later on claimed the statement was a joke made to a good friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the incident caused widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The consequences of his risks materialized in election day violence, where political thugs allegedly conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to recognize Igbo voters, preventing many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the production of a petition calling for 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 transport 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 design and declared use of union resources for personal gain as substantial issues.

The group mentioned, “MC Oluomo’s management design is undesirable. He utilized union resources for personal gain, disregarding members’ welfare.” They also raised issues about his capability to efficiently lead the nationwide 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 follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has developed from a simple 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, often functioning as a vital grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote locations, has made it an attractive partner for political stars looking for to develop control over local neighborhoods. This has resulted in changing what was originally a transportation workers’ union into what some critics describe as an advanced network for political mobilization and, sometimes, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s increase exemplifies the complex relationship between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in numerous reports, he has actually contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including notable involvement 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 accused of interrupting ballot systems and frightening citizens, especially those perceived to be opposition fans.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s management has actually led to different legal challenges. Noteworthy amongst these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to disperse election products in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of essential electoral procedures.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo presumes the nationwide leadership of the NURTW, questions remain about the union’s future direction and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his advocates celebrate his ability to keep order and structure within the transport sector, critics worry about the potential nationwide growth of what they view as a dangerous combination of transportation union power and political impact.

The consultation also 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 nation continues to come to grips with problems of democratic consolidation and ethnic harmony, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of extreme dispute and analysis.

This advancement works as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the influence of non-state actors in the nation’s political procedures.

As MC Oluomo begins his tenure as National President, his actions will be carefully seen by fans and critics alike, with substantial implications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s wider political landscape.