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MC 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 triggered both event and concern across Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, has actually 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 took place at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a significant milestone in the questionable figure’s career trajectory while raising serious questions about the intersection 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 also led to 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 forgiven everybody who angered me, and I want those I offended would forgive me too. This is our union, and we must be dedicated to its conservation. We will not allow anybody to damage our ways of income.”

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency features significant baggage and debate.

Claims 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 significantly, throughout the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo gained national attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

He was recorded on video making threats against Igbo voters in Lagos State, warning them to either elect the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later on declared the declaration was a joke made to a friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event led to extensive condemnation and requires his arrest.

The consequences of his threats materialized in election day violence, where political goons apparently carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo citizens, preventing numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the development of a petition calling for global travel restrictions versus him, citing his role in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation employees, has 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 style and declared use of union resources for personal gain as substantial concerns.

The group mentioned, “MC Oluomo’s leadership design is inappropriate. He utilized union resources for personal gain, disregarding members’ well-being.” They also raised concerns about his capability 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 actually progressed from an easy trade union into an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically serving as a vital grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

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

Political Influence and Violence

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

His methods of operation have actually typically been slammed for blurring the lines between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of interrupting polling systems and frightening voters, especially those perceived to be opposition fans.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has actually resulted in different legal challenges. Significant among these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to distribute election products in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of essential electoral processes.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo assumes the nationwide management 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 maintain order and structure within the transportation sector, critics worry about the potential nationwide growth of what they view as a dangerous combination of transportation union power and political influence.

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

As the country continues to face issues of democratic combination and ethnic harmony, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a topic of extreme dispute and examination.

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

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