MC Oluomo elected as NURTW president – Daily Trust

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

In a development that has actually triggered both celebration and issue throughout Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, widely known as MC Oluomo, has 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 took place at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a significant milestone in the controversial figure’s career trajectory while raising serious questions about the intersection of transport 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 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 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 called for unity within the union, mentioning, “I have forgiven everyone who upset me, and I want those I upset would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we must be devoted to its conservation. We will not allow anyone to damage our means of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency features substantial luggage and debate.

Allegations 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 notably, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo got nationwide attention for his questionable function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was caught on video making threats versus Igbo voters in Lagos State, cautioning them to either elect the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later on declared the declaration was a joke made to a good friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event caused widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The aftermath of his hazards materialized in election day violence, where political thugs apparently carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo voters, preventing many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the creation of a petition calling for global travel restrictions versus him, mentioning his function in inciting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport workers, 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 design and declared use of union resources for personal gain as significant concerns.

The group mentioned, “MC Oluomo’s leadership design is inappropriate. He utilized union resources for individual gain, overlooking members’ welfare.” They likewise raised issues about his capability to effectively lead the national 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 simple trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, frequently working as a vital grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

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

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s rise exhibits the complex relationship in 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 notable involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have actually typically been slammed for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of disrupting ballot systems and intimidating voters, especially those perceived to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s management has actually led to numerous legal obstacles. Significant among these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to distribute election materials in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of important electoral procedures.

Future Implications

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

While his supporters celebrate his ability to preserve order and structure within the transport sector, critics stress over the possible nationwide expansion of what they view as an unsafe blend of transportation union power and political impact.

The visit likewise raises wider questions about the requirement for reform within Nigeria’s transportation union structure and the relationship between labour unions and political power.

As the nation continues to grapple with concerns of democratic combination and ethnic consistency, the function of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of extreme dispute and analysis.

This advancement acts as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the influence of non-state stars in the country’s political processes.

As MC Oluomo begins his tenure as National President, his actions will be closely seen by advocates and critics alike, with substantial ramifications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.