MC Oluomo emerges NURTW President – Nairaland Forum

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

In a development that has actually stimulated both celebration and concern throughout Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, commonly called 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 turning point in the questionable figure’s career trajectory while raising severe concerns about the crossway of transport unions and political power in Nigeria.

The Rise to Power

Delegates from four South-West states– Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti– participated in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole prospect.

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 likewise led to the visit 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 actually forgiven everyone who offended me, and I want those I offended would forgive me too. This is our union, and we must be dedicated to its preservation. We will not allow anybody to damage our means of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

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

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

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

He was recorded on video making threats versus Igbo voters in Lagos State, alerting them to either vote for the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later on claimed the statement was a joke made to a buddy nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the incident resulted in prevalent condemnation and requires his arrest.

The consequences of his risks emerged in election day violence, where political goons supposedly carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo voters, preventing lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the production of a petition calling for global travel restrictions 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 actually emphatically opposed MC Oluomo’s rise to power. In a communique signed by Comrade Taiwo Ariyo and Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the group cited his questionable management style and declared use of union resources for personal gain as significant issues.

The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s leadership style is undesirable. He utilized union resources for individual gain, neglecting members’ well-being.” They likewise raised issues about his ability to effectively lead the nationwide body, indicating 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 actually developed from an easy trade union into a powerful political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, frequently acting as an important grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote areas, has actually made it an attractive partner for political actors seeking to establish control over regional communities. This has resulted in transforming what was initially a transportation employees’ union into what some critics describe as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, in some cases, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s increase exhibits the complex relationship between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in various reports, he has actually been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of significant involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have actually often been slammed for blurring the lines in between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of interfering with polling units and frightening citizens, especially those perceived to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has actually caused numerous legal difficulties. 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 important electoral procedures.

Future Implications

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

While his supporters commemorate his capability to maintain order and structure within the transportation sector, critics worry about the potential across the country expansion of what they view as a dangerous combination of transportation union power and political influence.

The appointment likewise raises broader concerns 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 come to grips with problems of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic harmony, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of extreme argument and analysis.

This advancement serves 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 procedures.

As MC Oluomo starts 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 broader political landscape.