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MC Oluomo emerges NURTW national president – Nairaland Forum

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

In an advancement that has actually triggered both celebration and issue throughout Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, popularly called MC Oluomo, has 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 road in Osun State, marks a substantial turning point in the questionable figure’s career trajectory while raising major 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– participated in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole candidate.

The process 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 visit of Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President of South-West and Akeem Adeosun as trustee from the zone.

In his acceptance speech, MC Oluomo required unity within the union, mentioning, “I have actually forgiven everybody who offended me, and I wish those I upset would forgive me also. This is our union, and we need to be devoted to its conservation. We will not allow anybody to destroy our means of income.”

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 tenure as the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NURTW.

Most especially, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo gained nationwide attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was recorded on video making threats versus Igbo voters in Lagos State, warning them to either choose the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on declared the statement was a joke made to a friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event resulted in extensive condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The after-effects of his threats emerged in election day violence, where political criminals apparently carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo citizens, preventing many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the production of a petition requiring international travel bans versus him, citing his function in inciting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation workers, has actually vehemently opposed MC Oluomo’s rise to power. In a communique signed by Comrade Taiwo Ariyo and Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the group cited his doubtful leadership style and declared use of union resources for personal gain as significant concerns.

The group mentioned, “MC Oluomo’s management design is unacceptable. He used union resources for personal gain, ignoring members’ welfare.” They also raised issues about his capability to successfully lead the nationwide body, pointing to his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his questionable management design.

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 become 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 made it an appealing partner for political stars seeking to develop control over regional communities. This has caused transforming what was originally a transport employees’ union into what some critics refer to as an advanced network for political mobilization and, often, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s increase exhibits the complex relationship in between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in various reports, he has actually been instrumental 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 often been criticized for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of interrupting ballot systems and daunting citizens, particularly those perceived to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has actually resulted in numerous legal challenges. Noteworthy amongst these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to disperse election products in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of important electoral procedures.

Future Implications

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

While his supporters commemorate his ability to maintain order and structure within the transportation sector, critics stress over the prospective nationwide expansion of what they view as an unsafe fusion of transportation 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 in between labour unions and political power.

As the nation continues to face issues of democratic combination and ethnic harmony, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a topic of intense dispute and analysis.

This development serves as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the impact of non-state actors in the country’s political processes.

As MC Oluomo starts his tenure as National President, his actions will be closely enjoyed by fans and critics alike, with significant ramifications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.