MC Oluomo emerges NURTW President – Nairaland Forum
MC Oluomo’s Controversial Rise: From Transport Union Leader to National NURTW President
In an advancement that has stimulated both celebration and issue throughout Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, has actually become the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following an agreement 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 substantial turning point in the questionable figure’s profession trajectory while raising serious concerns 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 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 appointment of Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President of South-West and Akeem Adeosun as trustee from the zone.
In his acceptance speech, MC Oluomo called for unity within the union, mentioning, “I have forgiven everyone who angered me, and I want those I offended would forgive me also. This is our union, and we need to be committed to its conservation. We will not enable anyone to damage our ways of livelihood.”
A Controversial Past
However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency features substantial baggage and debate.
Claims 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 significantly, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo gained national attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.
He was caught on video making threats versus Igbo voters in Lagos State, alerting 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 pal nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the incident resulted in widespread condemnation and requires his arrest.
The after-effects of his risks emerged in election day violence, where political hooligans allegedly carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo citizens, preventing lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the development of a petition requiring international travel bans versus him, citing his role in prompting ethnic violence.
Opposition and Concerns
The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport employees, has 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 management design and declared use of union resources for personal gain as considerable issues.
The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s leadership design is unacceptable. He utilized union resources for personal gain, ignoring members’ welfare.” They likewise raised concerns about his ability to effectively lead the nationwide body, indicating 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 actually progressed from a simple trade union into an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, frequently functioning 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 actors seeking to develop control over local neighborhoods. This has actually caused transforming what was initially a transport employees’ 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 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 notable participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.
His methods of operation have actually frequently been criticized for blurring the lines in between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of interrupting ballot systems and daunting voters, especially those viewed to be opposition fans.
Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has led to numerous legal challenges. 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 procedures.
Future Implications
As MC Oluomo presumes the nationwide management of the NURTW, concerns remain about the union’s future direction and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.
While his fans celebrate his capability to preserve order and structure within the transportation sector, critics stress over the potential across the country expansion of what they see as an unsafe combination of transport union power and political impact.
The consultation also raises wider questions 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 grapple with issues of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic consistency, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of intense argument and examination.
This advancement works as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the influence of non-state actors in the country’s political processes.
As MC Oluomo begins his period as National President, his actions will be closely viewed by fans and critics alike, with considerable implications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.