MC Oluomo elected as NURTW president – Leadership News

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

In a development that has actually triggered both celebration and concern throughout Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely 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 road in Osun State, marks a substantial milestone in the controversial figure’s career trajectory while raising serious 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– participated in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole candidate.

The procedure 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 resulted in 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 upset would forgive me also. This is our union, and we must be committed to its conservation. We will not allow anybody to ruin our ways of income.”

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency features considerable luggage and controversy.

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

Most especially, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo acquired nationwide attention for his questionable role in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was recorded on video making threats versus Igbo citizens in Lagos State, warning them to either choose the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later on declared the declaration was a joke made to a friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event led to prevalent condemnation and requires his arrest.

The consequences of his hazards materialized in election day violence, where political criminals apparently carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo citizens, preventing many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the production of a petition calling for worldwide travel bans versus him, mentioning his role in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation 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 mentioned his doubtful leadership style and alleged use of union resources for personal gain as considerable concerns.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s leadership design is undesirable. He utilized union resources for personal gain, overlooking members’ welfare.” They also raised issues about his ability to successfully 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 successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has progressed from a basic trade union into an effective political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often functioning as a vital grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote areas, has made it an appealing partner for political stars seeking to develop control over local communities. This has resulted in changing what was initially a transportation workers’ union into what some critics describe as an advanced network for political mobilization and, sometimes, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s increase 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 significant participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have typically been criticized for blurring the lines in between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was accused of interfering with polling systems and intimidating citizens, particularly those viewed to be opposition advocates.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s management has actually caused various legal challenges. Notable among these was a court order throughout 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 nationwide leadership of the NURTW, concerns remain about the union’s future direction and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his supporters commemorate his ability to preserve order and structure within the transportation sector, critics stress over the possible across the country expansion of what they view as a dangerous combination of transportation union power and political influence.

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

As the country continues to face concerns of democratic consolidation and ethnic consistency, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of intense argument and scrutiny.

This development serves as a defining 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 period as National President, his actions will be closely enjoyed by fans and critics alike, with considerable implications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.