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MC Oluomo emerges NURTW President – Guardian Newspaper
MC Oluomo’s Controversial Rise: From Transport Union Leader to National NURTW President
In an advancement that has actually triggered both event and concern across Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely known as MC Oluomo, has emerged as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following a consensus 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 considerable milestone in the controversial figure’s career trajectory while raising serious concerns about the crossway of transportation 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 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 likewise resulted in the visit of Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President of South-West and Akeem Adeosun as trustee from the zone.
In his approval speech, MC Oluomo required unity within the union, specifying, “I have actually forgiven everyone who offended me, and I want those I upset would forgive me also. This is our union, and we need to be committed to its preservation. We will not permit anybody to damage our methods of livelihood.”
A Controversial Past
However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency features significant luggage and debate.
Accusations of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transport union structures for political purposes marked his period as the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NURTW.
Most notably, during the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo acquired nationwide attention for his questionable role in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.
He was captured on video making threats against Igbo voters in Lagos State, cautioning them to either choose the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on claimed the statement was a joke made to a buddy nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the occurrence led to extensive condemnation and requires his arrest.
The after-effects of his threats materialized in election day violence, where political hooligans apparently performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo voters, avoiding many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the production of a petition requiring global travel bans against him, citing his role in inciting ethnic violence.
Opposition and Concerns
The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport employees, has 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 leadership style and alleged use of union resources for individual gain as considerable issues.
The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s management design is inappropriate. He utilized union resources for individual gain, disregarding members’ welfare.” They also raised concerns about his ability to effectively lead the nationwide body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management design.
The NURTW’s Evolution
The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has 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, typically working as an essential grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.
The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote areas, has actually made it an appealing partner for political actors seeking to establish control over regional communities. This has actually resulted in changing what was initially a transport employees’ union into what some critics describe as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, often, intimidation.
Political Influence and Violence
MC Oluomo’s increase exhibits the complex relationship between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in various reports, he has been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including significant participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.
His methods of operation have actually frequently been criticized for blurring the lines in between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his company was accused of interfering with polling units and frightening citizens, especially those viewed to be opposition fans.
Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has led to different legal difficulties. Noteworthy among these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to disperse election materials in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of important electoral processes.
Future Implications
As MC Oluomo presumes the nationwide leadership of the NURTW, questions remain about the union’s future direction and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.
While his advocates commemorate his ability to preserve order and structure within the transportation sector, critics worry about the possible nationwide growth of what they see as a harmful fusion of transportation union power and political impact.
The visit likewise raises broader questions about the requirement for reform within Nigeria’s transportation union structure and the relationship in between labour unions and political power.
As the nation continues to grapple with problems of democratic combination and ethnic consistency, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of extreme argument and analysis.
This advancement serves as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the influence of non-state stars in the country’s political procedures.
As MC Oluomo begins his tenure as National President, his actions will be carefully enjoyed by advocates and critics alike, with considerable implications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s more comprehensive political landscape.