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MC Oluomo elected NURTW national president – The Cable

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

In an advancement that has triggered both celebration and issue across Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly 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 road in Osun State, marks a significant turning point in the controversial 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 4 South-West states– Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti– participated in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole prospect.

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 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 called for unity within the union, stating, “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 permit anyone to destroy our ways of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

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

Claims of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transportation 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 national attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

He was caught on video making threats against Igbo citizens in Lagos State, alerting them to either elect the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later claimed the statement was a joke made to a buddy nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the occurrence resulted in extensive condemnation and requires his arrest.

The after-effects of his threats emerged in election day violence, where political criminals allegedly conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo voters, preventing numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the production of a petition requiring worldwide travel bans versus him, citing his function 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 cited his questionable management style and declared use of union resources for personal gain as significant concerns.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s leadership design is inappropriate. He used union resources for personal gain, neglecting members’ well-being.” They also raised concerns about his ability to effectively 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 progressed from a simple trade union into an effective political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often acting as an important grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote locations, has made it an attractive partner for political actors looking for to develop control over local neighborhoods. This has led to changing what was initially a transportation workers’ 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 between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in numerous reports, he has contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of notable involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have often been slammed for blurring the lines between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of disrupting ballot units and daunting citizens, particularly those perceived to be opposition advocates.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s management has led to different legal obstacles. 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 essential electoral processes.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo presumes the nationwide management of the NURTW, concerns stay about the union’s future direction and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his supporters commemorate his capability to preserve order and structure within the transportation sector, critics fret about the possible across the country growth of what they see as an unsafe blend of transport union power and political impact.

The appointment also raises broader concerns about the need for reform within Nigeria’s transportation union structure and the relationship in between labour unions and political power.

As the nation continues to come to grips with problems of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic harmony, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of extreme argument and analysis.

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

As MC Oluomo begins his period as National President, his actions will be closely viewed by fans and critics alike, with considerable implications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.