MC Oluomo elected NURTW national president – Nairaland Forum

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

In an advancement that has actually stimulated both event and issue across Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, commonly referred to 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 happened at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a substantial milestone in the controversial figure’s profession trajectory while raising serious concerns about the intersection of transport unions and political power in Nigeria.

The Rise to Power

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

The procedure 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 resulted in the appointment 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, stating, “I have actually forgiven everybody who angered me, and I want those I offended would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we should be committed to its preservation. We will not allow anyone to ruin our means of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency includes substantial luggage and debate.

Allegations 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 notably, during the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo gained nationwide attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

He was captured on video making threats versus Igbo citizens in Lagos State, warning them to either choose 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 event caused prevalent condemnation and requires his arrest.

The aftermath of his dangers emerged in election day violence, where political goons apparently conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo citizens, avoiding lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the creation of a petition calling for global travel bans against him, mentioning his role in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation workers, has actually vehemently opposed MC Oluomo’s rise to power. In a communique signed by Comrade Taiwo Ariyo and Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the group cited his questionable leadership style and alleged use of union resources for individual gain as significant issues.

The group mentioned, “MC Oluomo’s management design is inappropriate. He used union resources for individual gain, overlooking members’ well-being.” They also raised concerns about his ability to successfully lead the nationwide 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 follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually progressed from an easy trade union into an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically functioning as a crucial 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 stars seeking to establish control over regional neighborhoods. This has actually resulted in transforming what was originally a transport workers’ union into what some critics refer to as an advanced network for political mobilization and, often, 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 numerous reports, he has been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of significant participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have often been slammed for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of interrupting ballot systems and intimidating citizens, especially those viewed to be opposition fans.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has actually caused various legal challenges. 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 concerns about the politicization of essential electoral procedures.

Future Implications

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

While his fans celebrate his ability to maintain order and structure within the transport sector, critics stress over the prospective across the country growth of what they view as an unsafe fusion of transport union power and political influence.

The visit also raises wider 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 face problems of democratic consolidation and ethnic harmony, the function of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of intense argument and analysis.

This advancement serves 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 processes.

As MC Oluomo starts his period as National President, his actions will be closely enjoyed by fans and critics alike, with significant implications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s more comprehensive political landscape.