MC Oluomo elected NURTW national president – Vanguard News
MC Oluomo’s Controversial Rise: From Transport Union Leader to National NURTW President
In an advancement that has stimulated both event and issue throughout Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly referred to as MC Oluomo, has become the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following a consensus election by union stakeholders and delegates.
The election, which took place at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a substantial milestone in the questionable figure’s profession trajectory while raising severe concerns about the intersection 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 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 also led to 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, mentioning, “I have forgiven everybody who angered me, and I want those I offended would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we must be dedicated to its preservation. We will not permit anybody to damage our means of livelihood.”
A Controversial Past
Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency features significant baggage and controversy.
Accusations 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 gained national attention for his questionable role in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.
He was caught on video making threats versus Igbo citizens 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 friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event caused widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.
The consequences of his dangers emerged in election day violence, where political thugs presumably carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo voters, avoiding lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the production of a petition calling for worldwide travel bans versus 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 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 management style and declared use of union resources for individual gain as considerable issues.
The group mentioned, “MC Oluomo’s management design is unacceptable. He used union resources for personal gain, ignoring members’ well-being.” They likewise 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 developed from a simple trade union into an effective political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has actually ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically functioning as an important grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.
The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote areas, has actually made it an attractive partner for political actors seeking to develop control over regional communities. This has actually resulted in transforming what was initially a transport employees’ union into what some critics refer to as an advanced network for political mobilization and, in some cases, 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 various reports, he has actually contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including notable involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.
His methods of operation have actually frequently been slammed for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was accused of interrupting polling systems and intimidating voters, especially those viewed to be opposition supporters.
Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has actually led to different legal obstacles. Noteworthy among these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to disperse election products in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of essential electoral processes.
Future Implications
As MC Oluomo presumes the national management of the NURTW, questions stay about the union’s future instructions and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.
While his supporters celebrate his ability to maintain order and structure within the transportation sector, critics worry about the prospective nationwide growth of what they see as a dangerous combination of transport union power and political impact.
The visit likewise raises more comprehensive concerns about the requirement for reform within Nigeria’s transportation union structure and the relationship between labour unions and political power.
As the nation continues to come to grips with problems of democratic consolidation and ethnic harmony, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of extreme debate and analysis.
This development acts as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the impact of non-state actors in the country’s political procedures.
As MC Oluomo begins his tenure as National President, his actions will be carefully seen by advocates and critics alike, with considerable implications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.
