MC Oluomo elected NURTW national president – TheCable

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

In an advancement that has actually stimulated both celebration and issue throughout Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, commonly referred to 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 occurred at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a substantial turning point in the controversial figure’s profession trajectory while raising major questions about the crossway of transport unions and political power in Nigeria.

The Rise to Power

Delegates from four South-West states– Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti– participated in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole candidate.

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 also 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, mentioning, “I have forgiven everybody who upset me, and I want those I offended would forgive me also. This is our union, and we need to be devoted to its preservation. We will not enable anyone to damage our methods of income.”

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency includes significant luggage and debate.

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

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

He was caught on video making threats against Igbo citizens in Lagos State, cautioning them to either choose the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on declared the declaration was a joke made to a buddy nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the occurrence caused extensive condemnation and requires his arrest.

The aftermath of his hazards materialized in election day violence, where political criminals allegedly performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo voters, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the creation of a petition calling for international travel bans against him, citing his role in inciting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation employees, has 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 management style and declared use of union resources for individual gain as significant issues.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s management design is unacceptable. He utilized union resources for individual gain, disregarding members’ welfare.” They likewise raised issues 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 follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has developed from a basic trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often working as an essential grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has actually made it an appealing partner for political stars looking for to develop control over regional communities. This has caused changing what was initially a transportation workers’ union into what some critics describe as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, often, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s increase exemplifies the complex relationship in between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in numerous reports, he has contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of noteworthy participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have actually often been slammed for blurring the lines in between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of interrupting ballot systems and daunting voters, particularly those viewed to be opposition advocates.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s management has resulted in different legal obstacles. Noteworthy amongst these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to disperse election materials in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of essential electoral procedures.

Future Implications

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

While his supporters commemorate his capability to preserve order and structure within the transportation sector, critics worry about the prospective across the country growth of what they see as a hazardous fusion of transportation union power and political impact.

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

As the nation continues to face concerns of democratic consolidation and ethnic consistency, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of extreme argument and examination.

This development functions as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the impact of non-state stars in the nation’s political procedures.

As MC Oluomo begins his period as National President, his actions will be carefully viewed by advocates and critics alike, with significant ramifications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.