National Union of Road Transport Workers

MC Oluomo elected as NURTW president – Punch Newspapers

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

In a development that has actually sparked both celebration and concern across Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely referred to as 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 roadway in Osun State, marks a substantial turning point in the questionable figure’s profession trajectory while raising severe 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 prospect.

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 likewise led to 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 forgiven everybody who upset me, and I want those I upset would forgive me also. This is our union, and we must be committed to its preservation. We will not permit anyone to destroy our methods of income.”

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency includes significant baggage and debate.

Claims of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transportation union structures for political functions marked his tenure as the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NURTW.

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

He was captured on video making threats versus Igbo citizens in Lagos State, cautioning them to either vote for the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on declared the statement was a joke made to a buddy nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event led to widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The consequences of his hazards emerged in election day violence, where political goons supposedly carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo voters, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the development of a petition requiring worldwide travel restrictions versus him, mentioning his function in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

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

The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s management style is inappropriate. He utilized union resources for personal gain, overlooking members’ well-being.” They also raised issues about his capability to efficiently lead the nationwide 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 evolved from an easy 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, frequently working as a vital grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote areas, has actually made it an attractive partner for political actors seeking to develop control over regional communities. This has actually caused changing what was originally a transport 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 increase exhibits the complex relationship between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in various reports, he has 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 typically been slammed for blurring the lines in between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was accused of interrupting polling systems and daunting voters, especially those viewed to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s management has actually resulted in numerous legal difficulties. Significant among these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to distribute election products in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of vital electoral processes.

Future Implications

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

While his advocates commemorate his ability to keep order and structure within the transportation sector, critics worry about the possible nationwide growth of what they see as a harmful fusion of transport union power and political influence.

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

As the country continues to face issues of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic consistency, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of extreme argument and scrutiny.

This advancement serves as a defining 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 enjoyed by supporters and critics alike, with significant implications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s more comprehensive political landscape.