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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 an advancement that has actually stimulated both event and issue across Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely called MC Oluomo, has actually become 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 considerable turning point in the controversial figure’s career 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– took part 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 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, specifying, “I have actually forgiven everyone who offended me, and I want those I upset would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we need to be committed to its conservation. We will not allow anyone to ruin our ways of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

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

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

Most notably, during the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo got national attention for his questionable function in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

He was captured on video making threats versus Igbo citizens in Lagos State, warning them to either elect the judgment 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 caused extensive condemnation and requires his arrest.

The after-effects of his threats materialized in election day violence, where political goons allegedly conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo citizens, preventing lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the creation of a petition requiring worldwide travel bans against him, mentioning his role in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport 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 doubtful leadership design and alleged use of union resources for individual gain as considerable issues.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s management style is inappropriate. He used union resources for personal gain, ignoring members’ well-being.” They also raised issues about his capability to effectively lead the nationwide 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 progressed from a simple trade union into a powerful political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically functioning 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 actors looking for to develop control over regional neighborhoods. This has actually resulted in transforming what was initially a transportation workers’ union into what some critics describe as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, in some cases, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s rise exhibits the complex relationship in between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in numerous reports, he has been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of significant participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have frequently been slammed for blurring the lines between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of interrupting ballot systems and frightening citizens, especially those perceived to be opposition fans.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s management has actually led to various legal difficulties. Noteworthy among these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to disperse election products in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of vital electoral procedures.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo assumes the national leadership of the NURTW, questions stay about the union’s future direction and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.

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

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

As the country continues to come to grips with concerns of democratic consolidation and ethnic consistency, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a topic of intense dispute and examination.

This development functions 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 starts his tenure as National President, his actions will be carefully watched by advocates and critics alike, with substantial ramifications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s more comprehensive political landscape.