Oluomo emerges NURTW national president – Vanguard News

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 transport sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, commonly known as MC Oluomo, has emerged as 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 significant turning point in the questionable figure’s career trajectory while raising serious 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 candidate.

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 also resulted in 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 called for unity within the union, stating, “I have actually forgiven everybody who angered me, and I wish those I angered would forgive me also. This is our union, and we must be dedicated to its conservation. We will not enable anyone to destroy our methods of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency includes significant baggage and debate.

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

Most especially, during the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo got nationwide attention for his questionable function in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

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

The aftermath of his risks emerged in election day violence, where political criminals supposedly carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo voters, preventing numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the development of a petition calling for worldwide travel restrictions against him, citing his role in inciting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport workers, 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 design and alleged use of union resources for personal gain as substantial issues.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s management style is inappropriate. He utilized union resources for individual gain, disregarding members’ welfare.” They likewise raised issues about his ability to successfully lead the nationwide body, pointing to his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management style.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has progressed from an easy trade union into an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has actually ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically working as a vital grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote locations, has actually made it an attractive partner for political stars seeking to develop control over local neighborhoods. This has actually caused changing what was originally a transportation workers’ 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 rise exemplifies the complex relationship in between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in various reports, he has 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 frequently been criticized for blurring the lines between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of interfering with polling systems and daunting voters, especially those viewed to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has caused numerous legal difficulties. Notable among these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to distribute election materials in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of important electoral procedures.

Future Implications

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

While his fans commemorate his ability to keep 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 impact.

The visit also raises broader 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 issues of democratic combination and ethnic consistency, the function of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a topic of intense dispute and scrutiny.

This development acts as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the influence of non-state stars in the nation’s political processes.

As MC Oluomo begins his tenure as National President, his actions will be closely watched by fans and critics alike, with substantial implications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s more comprehensive political landscape.