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MC Oluomo emerges NURTW President – Daily Post Nigeria

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

In an advancement that has sparked both celebration and concern across Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, widely 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 occurred at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a significant turning point in the questionable figure’s profession trajectory while raising serious concerns about the crossway of transport unions and political power in Nigeria.

The Rise to Power

Delegates from four South-West states– Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti– took part in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole prospect.

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 likewise led to the consultation of Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President of South-West and Akeem Adeosun as trustee from the zone.

In his approval speech, MC Oluomo called for unity within the union, mentioning, “I have actually 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 devoted to its conservation. We will not allow anyone to damage our ways of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency includes 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 significantly, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo got nationwide attention for his questionable function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

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

The consequences of his risks materialized in election day violence, where political criminals apparently carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo citizens, preventing many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the creation of a petition calling for international travel restrictions against him, mentioning his role in inciting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport 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 mentioned his doubtful leadership style and declared use of union resources for personal gain as significant issues.

The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s management style is unacceptable. He used union resources for individual gain, ignoring members’ welfare.” They likewise raised issues about his ability to effectively lead the nationwide body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his questionable management style.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has developed from a basic trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often acting as an important grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote locations, has made it an appealing partner for political actors looking for to develop control over local neighborhoods. This has actually resulted in changing what was originally a transportation workers’ 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 transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in different reports, he has been instrumental 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 typically been slammed for blurring the lines in between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of disrupting ballot systems and daunting citizens, particularly those perceived to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s management has actually resulted in various legal difficulties. Noteworthy amongst these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to distribute election materials in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of necessary electoral processes.

Future Implications

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

While his advocates celebrate his capability to keep order and structure within the transportation sector, critics worry about the potential across the country expansion of what they see as an unsafe combination of transportation union power and political influence.

The appointment likewise raises wider questions about the need for reform within Nigeria’s transport union structure and the relationship between labour unions and political power.

As the nation continues to grapple with problems of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic consistency, the function of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of intense dispute and examination.

This development 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 processes.

As MC Oluomo begins his tenure as National President, his actions will be carefully enjoyed by advocates and critics alike, with substantial implications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.