MC Oluomo emerges NURTW national president – Nairaland

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

In a development that has triggered both celebration and concern across Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu 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 happened at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a considerable milestone in the questionable 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 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 appointment of Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President of South-West and Akeem Adeosun as trustee from the zone.

In his acceptance speech, MC Oluomo required unity within the union, specifying, “I have forgiven everybody who upset me, and I want those I offended would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we need to be dedicated to its conservation. We will not enable anybody to damage our means of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency includes considerable baggage and controversy.

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

Most notably, during the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo gained national attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

He was recorded on video making threats against Igbo voters in Lagos State, warning them to either vote for the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later claimed the declaration was a joke made to a friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event led to widespread condemnation and requires his arrest.

The after-effects of his hazards materialized in election day violence, where political hooligans apparently carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo voters, preventing lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the creation of a petition calling for worldwide travel restrictions against him, citing his role in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation workers, 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 design and declared use of union resources for individual gain as substantial concerns.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s leadership design is inappropriate. He used union resources for personal gain, neglecting members’ welfare.” They likewise raised concerns about his ability to effectively lead the nationwide body, pointing to his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his questionable management style.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has evolved from an easy trade union into an effective political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often serving as an essential grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

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 establish control over local neighborhoods. This has led to transforming what was initially a transportation workers’ union into what some critics describe as an advanced network for political mobilization and, often, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s rise exhibits the complex relationship between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in different reports, he has contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including significant involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have actually often been criticized for blurring the lines between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of disrupting polling units and intimidating voters, especially those perceived to be opposition fans.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s management has resulted in numerous legal obstacles. 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 issues about the politicization of vital electoral processes.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo presumes the nationwide management of the NURTW, concerns stay about the union’s future instructions and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his fans commemorate his capability to maintain order and structure within the transport sector, critics stress over the possible across the country expansion of what they see as an unsafe combination of transportation union power and political impact.

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

As the nation continues to grapple with issues of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic harmony, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of intense argument and analysis.

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

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