MC Oluomo elected NURTW National President – Sahara Reporters

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

In a development that has triggered both celebration and concern across Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, widely called MC Oluomo, has actually 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 substantial milestone in the controversial figure’s profession trajectory while raising major concerns about the intersection of transportation 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 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 likewise led to 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 required unity within the union, stating, “I have actually forgiven everyone who upset me, and I wish those I offended would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we must be dedicated to its conservation. We will not permit anybody to destroy our means of income.”

A Controversial Past

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

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

Most notably, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo gained national attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was caught on video making threats versus Igbo citizens in Lagos State, cautioning 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 friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event caused widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The consequences of his threats emerged in election day violence, where political punks allegedly carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo voters, preventing numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the creation of a petition calling for international travel bans against him, mentioning his function in inciting 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 design and declared use of union resources for individual gain as considerable issues.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s management design is undesirable. He utilized union resources for personal gain, overlooking members’ well-being.” They also raised concerns about his capability 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 actually evolved from a basic trade union into a powerful political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often functioning as a crucial grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote areas, has made it an attractive partner for political actors seeking to develop control over local communities. This has actually caused changing what was originally a transportation workers’ union into what some critics describe as an advanced network for political mobilization and, sometimes, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s rise exemplifies the complex relationship between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in different reports, he has contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including notable participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have frequently been slammed for blurring the lines between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was accused of disrupting ballot units and frightening voters, particularly those viewed to be opposition advocates.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has actually led to different legal difficulties. Noteworthy among these was a court order during 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 national leadership of the NURTW, questions remain about the union’s future instructions and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his fans celebrate his ability to keep order and structure within the transportation sector, critics fret about the prospective nationwide expansion of what they view as a harmful combination of transportation union power and political influence.

The consultation likewise raises wider questions about the need for reform within Nigeria’s transportation union structure and the relationship between labour unions and political power.

As the nation continues to face concerns of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic consistency, the function of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a topic of extreme dispute and scrutiny.

This advancement functions as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the influence of non-state actors in the nation’s political procedures.

As MC Oluomo begins his tenure as National President, his actions will be carefully seen by advocates and critics alike, with substantial ramifications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s wider political landscape.