MC Oluomo elected NURTW National President – Channels TV

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

In an advancement that has triggered both celebration and concern across Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, commonly known as 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 happened at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a significant turning point in the controversial figure’s profession trajectory while raising major questions 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 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 consultation 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, specifying, “I have actually forgiven everybody who offended me, and I want those I angered would forgive me also. This is our union, and we need to be committed to its conservation. We will not enable anyone to destroy our ways of income.”

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency includes considerable 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 significantly, during the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo got national attention for his questionable function in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

He was caught on video making threats against Igbo voters in Lagos State, warning them to either choose the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later claimed the statement was a joke made to a good friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event led to extensive condemnation and requires his arrest.

The consequences of his risks emerged in election day violence, where political punks supposedly carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to recognize Igbo voters, preventing numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the production of a petition requiring global travel bans versus him, mentioning his function in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation 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 management design and declared use of union resources for personal gain as significant concerns.

The group mentioned, “MC Oluomo’s management design is inappropriate. He used union resources for personal gain, ignoring members’ welfare.” They likewise raised issues about his capability to effectively lead the nationwide 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 follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has progressed from an easy trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, frequently acting as a crucial grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote locations, has actually made it an appealing partner for political actors seeking to establish control over regional communities. This has actually led to transforming what was originally a transportation workers’ union into what some critics describe as an advanced network for political mobilization and, in some cases, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s increase exemplifies the complex relationship between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in different reports, he has been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of noteworthy participation 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 legitimate union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of interrupting polling units and frightening citizens, especially those viewed to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

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

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo presumes the nationwide leadership of the NURTW, questions remain about the union’s future direction and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his advocates commemorate his ability to preserve order and structure within the transportation sector, critics stress over the potential nationwide expansion of what they see as a harmful blend of transportation union power and political influence.

The appointment also 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 country continues to grapple with problems of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic harmony, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of extreme argument and examination.

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

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