MC Oluomo emerges NURTW national president – Daily Post Nigeria
MC Oluomo’s Controversial Rise: From Transport Union Leader to National NURTW President
In a development that has actually stimulated both event and issue across Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, commonly known as MC Oluomo, has 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 took place at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a significant 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 four South-West states– Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti– participated 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 approval speech, MC Oluomo called for unity within the union, mentioning, “I have forgiven everybody who angered me, and I want those I upset would forgive me too. This is our union, and we must be devoted to its preservation. We will not permit anybody to damage our ways of livelihood.”
A Controversial Past
Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency comes with substantial baggage and debate.
Allegations 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 especially, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo acquired national attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and voter intimidation.
He was caught on video making threats against Igbo voters in Lagos State, cautioning them to either elect 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 widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.
The consequences of his threats emerged in election day violence, where political thugs apparently performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to recognize Igbo voters, avoiding lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the production of a petition calling for worldwide travel restrictions versus him, mentioning his function in inciting 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 stated, “MC Oluomo’s leadership design is inappropriate. He used union resources for individual gain, overlooking members’ welfare.” They also raised concerns about his ability to effectively lead the national body, pointing to 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 developed from an easy trade union into an effective political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically working as an important grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.
The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has actually made it an attractive partner for political actors seeking to develop control over local neighborhoods. 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, in some cases, intimidation.
Political Influence and Violence
MC Oluomo’s rise exemplifies the complex relationship in between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in various reports, he has contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of noteworthy involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.
His methods of operation have actually often been criticized for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was accused of interrupting ballot systems and daunting citizens, particularly those viewed to be opposition advocates.
Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s management has actually led to numerous legal difficulties. Significant among these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to distribute election products in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of vital electoral procedures.
Future Implications
As MC Oluomo presumes the national leadership of the NURTW, concerns stay about the union’s future instructions and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.
While his fans celebrate his capability to preserve order and structure within the transportation sector, critics worry about the possible nationwide growth of what they view as an unsafe blend of transportation union power and political impact.
The appointment likewise raises broader concerns about the need for reform within Nigeria’s transportation union structure and the relationship in between labour unions and political power.
As the nation continues to come to grips with problems of democratic consolidation and ethnic consistency, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of intense dispute and scrutiny.
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 nation’s political procedures.
As MC Oluomo begins his period as National President, his actions will be closely viewed by supporters and critics alike, with substantial ramifications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s more comprehensive political landscape.
