Oluomo emerges NURTW national president – The Guardian Nigeria News

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

In a development that has triggered both celebration and concern throughout Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, commonly called MC Oluomo, has actually 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 considerable turning point in the questionable figure’s career trajectory while raising severe questions about the crossway of transport 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 prospect.

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 led to 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 forgiven everyone who upset me, and I wish those I upset would forgive me also. This is our union, and we need to be committed to its conservation. We will not allow anybody to ruin our methods of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency comes with significant baggage and controversy.

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 significantly, during the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo gained national attention for his questionable role in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was caught on video making threats against Igbo citizens in Lagos State, cautioning them to either choose the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on claimed the declaration was a joke made to a friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event caused extensive condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The after-effects of his hazards emerged in election day violence, where political hooligans allegedly conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo citizens, preventing many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the development of a petition requiring global travel restrictions versus him, citing his role in inciting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation employees, 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 questionable management style and declared use of union resources for individual gain as substantial issues.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s management style is unacceptable. He used union resources for individual gain, neglecting members’ welfare.” They also raised issues about his ability to efficiently lead the national 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 successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has developed from a basic trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically functioning as an essential grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote locations, has actually made it an attractive partner for political stars looking for to establish control over local communities. This has actually caused transforming what was initially a transportation employees’ union into what some critics refer to as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, in some cases, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s rise exhibits the complex relationship between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in different reports, he has actually contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including significant involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have frequently been slammed for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was accused of interfering with polling units and frightening voters, particularly those perceived to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s management has caused different legal difficulties. Significant 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 important electoral processes.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo assumes the national leadership of the NURTW, questions remain about the union’s future instructions and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his supporters celebrate his capability to keep order and structure within the transport sector, critics worry about the prospective nationwide growth of what they view as a harmful fusion of transport union power and political influence.

The consultation likewise raises broader concerns about the need for reform within Nigeria’s transport union structure and the relationship between labour unions and political power.

As the country continues to grapple with issues of democratic consolidation and ethnic consistency, the function of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a topic of extreme argument and scrutiny.

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 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 broader political landscape.