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MC Oluomo emerges NURTW President – Tunde Ednut
MC Oluomo’s Controversial Rise: From Transport Union Leader to National NURTW President
In an advancement that has stimulated both celebration and concern throughout Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, commonly called 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 occurred at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a significant turning point in the controversial figure’s career trajectory while raising major 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 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 likewise resulted in the consultation 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 everybody who offended me, and I wish those I angered would forgive me too. This is our union, and we should be committed to its conservation. We will not allow anybody to destroy our ways of livelihood.”
A Controversial Past
However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency features substantial baggage 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 notably, during the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo got national 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 choose the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on declared the statement was a joke made to a friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the incident caused prevalent condemnation and calls for his arrest.
The consequences of his threats materialized in election day violence, where political punks presumably performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo citizens, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the development of a petition requiring 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 transport workers, has vehemently opposed MC Oluomo’s rise to power. In a communique signed by Comrade Taiwo Ariyo and Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the group mentioned his doubtful leadership style and declared use of union resources for individual gain as substantial issues.
The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s management style is unacceptable. He utilized union resources for personal gain, disregarding members’ welfare.” They also raised issues about his ability to effectively lead the national body, pointing to his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management style.
The NURTW’s Evolution
The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has progressed from a simple 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 working as a vital grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.
The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote locations, has made it an appealing partner for political stars looking for to establish control over regional communities. This has actually resulted in 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 rise exhibits the complex relationship in between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in various reports, he has actually contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including noteworthy participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.
His methods of operation have often been slammed for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of interrupting polling systems and frightening citizens, particularly those viewed to be opposition supporters.
Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has caused numerous legal challenges. Significant 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 necessary electoral processes.
Future Implications
As MC Oluomo assumes the national leadership of the NURTW, concerns remain about the union’s future direction and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.
While his supporters commemorate his capability to maintain order and structure within the transportation sector, critics fret about the prospective across the country expansion of what they see as a hazardous blend of transportation union power and political influence.
The visit likewise raises wider questions about the need for reform within Nigeria’s transport union structure and the relationship between labour unions and political power.
As the nation continues to grapple with issues of democratic consolidation and ethnic harmony, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of intense argument and analysis.
This development works 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 processes.
As MC Oluomo begins his tenure as National President, his actions will be carefully watched by advocates and critics alike, with considerable ramifications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s more comprehensive political landscape.