Oluomo emerges NURTW national president – Vanguard Newspaper

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

In a development that has stimulated both event and concern across Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, commonly 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 happened at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a significant milestone in the questionable figure’s career trajectory while raising major concerns about the crossway of transport 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 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 likewise led to the consultation 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, stating, “I have forgiven everybody who upset me, and I wish those I offended would forgive me too. This is our union, and we must be dedicated to its preservation. We will not enable anyone to ruin our means of income.”

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency comes with significant luggage and debate.

Claims of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transportation 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 recorded on video making threats versus Igbo voters in Lagos State, cautioning them to either elect the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later declared the statement was a joke made to a good friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the occurrence caused widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The aftermath of his risks emerged in election day violence, where political hooligans supposedly performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to recognize Igbo voters, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the development of a petition requiring worldwide travel bans against him, mentioning his function in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation 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 questionable management style and declared use of union resources for individual gain as substantial issues.

The group mentioned, “MC Oluomo’s management design is undesirable. He utilized union resources for personal gain, disregarding members’ well-being.” They also raised issues about his ability to successfully lead the national body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management style.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually 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 acting as an essential grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has made it an appealing partner for political actors seeking to establish control over regional neighborhoods. This has led to changing what was initially a transportation workers’ union into what some critics refer to as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, often, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s increase exemplifies the complex relationship in between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in numerous reports, he has contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of 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 company was implicated of disrupting polling systems and frightening citizens, particularly those perceived to be opposition fans.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has caused various legal difficulties. Noteworthy amongst these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to disperse election products in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of necessary electoral processes.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo presumes the national leadership of the NURTW, concerns remain about the union’s future direction and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his advocates celebrate his capability to keep order and structure within the transport sector, critics fret about the possible across the country growth of what they view as an unsafe fusion of transportation union power and political impact.

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

As the country continues to grapple with concerns of democratic combination and ethnic consistency, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of extreme debate and scrutiny.

This advancement functions as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the influence of non-state actors in the nation’s political processes.

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