Oluomo emerges NURTW national president – Nairaland

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

In an advancement that has stimulated both celebration and issue throughout Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, widely known as 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 happened at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a substantial milestone in the controversial figure’s profession trajectory while raising severe 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 candidate.

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 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, specifying, “I have forgiven everyone who angered me, and I wish those I offended would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we must be dedicated to its conservation. We will not permit anybody to destroy our means of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

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

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

Most significantly, throughout the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo gained nationwide attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

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

The after-effects of his threats emerged in election day violence, where political hooligans presumably performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to recognize Igbo citizens, preventing numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the production of a petition calling for international travel bans versus him, mentioning his role in inciting 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 mentioned his questionable management style and declared use of union resources for individual gain as significant issues.

The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s management style is unacceptable. He used union resources for personal gain, ignoring members’ welfare.” They likewise raised concerns about his capability to efficiently 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 progressed from a basic trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has actually ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, frequently acting as an essential grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote areas, has made it an attractive partner for political stars seeking to develop control over local communities. This has led to changing what was initially a transportation employees’ union into what some critics describe as an advanced network for political mobilization and, often, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s increase exhibits the complex relationship between transportation 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 typically been slammed for blurring the lines between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of interfering with polling systems and frightening citizens, particularly those perceived to be opposition advocates.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has caused different legal obstacles. Significant 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 necessary electoral procedures.

Future Implications

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

While his advocates commemorate his capability to keep order and structure within the transport sector, critics worry about the potential nationwide expansion of what they see as a dangerous fusion of transportation union power and political impact.

The consultation likewise raises broader questions about the requirement for reform within Nigeria’s transport union structure and the relationship in between labour unions and political power.

As the country continues to grapple with problems of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic consistency, the function of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of intense dispute and analysis.

This advancement acts as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the influence of non-state actors in the country’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 ramifications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.