Oluomo emerges NURTW national president – Leadership News

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

In an advancement that has stimulated both celebration and concern across Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, commonly 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 road in Osun State, marks a substantial turning point in the controversial figure’s profession trajectory while raising severe concerns about the crossway 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 procedure 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 consultation 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, mentioning, “I have forgiven everyone who angered me, and I wish those I upset would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we need to be dedicated to its preservation. We will not permit anybody to destroy our ways of income.”

A Controversial Past

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

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

Most notably, during the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo got nationwide attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

He was recorded on video making threats versus Igbo citizens in Lagos State, alerting them to either choose the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later claimed the declaration was a joke made to a good friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the occurrence caused extensive condemnation and requires his arrest.

The after-effects of his risks emerged in election day violence, where political hooligans supposedly carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo voters, preventing numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the development of a petition requiring worldwide 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 transport workers, has 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 individual gain as significant issues.

The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s management design is inappropriate. He used union resources for personal gain, ignoring members’ welfare.” They likewise raised issues about his ability to successfully lead the national body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management design.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has developed from an easy trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often acting as a crucial grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has actually made it an attractive partner for political actors looking for to develop control over local communities. This has led to changing what was originally a transport workers’ 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 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 actually typically been criticized for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his company was accused of interrupting ballot systems and daunting citizens, especially those perceived to be opposition fans.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has led to numerous legal difficulties. Notable amongst these was a court order during the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to distribute election products in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of necessary electoral procedures.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo presumes the nationwide management 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 preserve order and structure within the transportation sector, critics stress over the prospective nationwide growth of what they view as a harmful blend of transportation union power and political impact.

The visit also raises more comprehensive questions 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 face concerns of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic harmony, the function of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of extreme argument and examination.

This development serves as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the impact of non-state stars 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 broader political landscape.