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MC Oluomo emerges NURTW President – Sahara Reporters

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

In an advancement that has sparked both event and concern across Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, popularly called 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 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 severe questions 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 candidate.

The process 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 appointment of Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President of South-West and Akeem Adeosun as trustee from the zone.

In his approval speech, MC Oluomo required unity within the union, specifying, “I have actually forgiven everyone who upset me, and I want those I offended would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we must be committed to its conservation. We will not allow anybody to damage our methods of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency comes with substantial baggage and debate.

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 especially, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo gained national attention for his questionable role in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

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

The after-effects of his hazards emerged in election day violence, where political thugs allegedly carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo voters, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the production of a petition requiring international travel bans against him, citing his function in inciting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation workers, has emphatically opposed MC Oluomo’s rise to power. In a communique signed by Comrade Taiwo Ariyo and Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the group mentioned his questionable management design and declared use of union resources for personal gain as substantial concerns.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s leadership design is undesirable. He utilized union resources for individual gain, overlooking members’ well-being.” They also raised concerns about his capability to effectively lead the national body, indicating 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 evolved from a basic trade union into an effective political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, frequently acting as a vital grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote areas, has actually made it an attractive partner for political stars looking for to develop control over local neighborhoods. This has caused changing what was initially a transportation workers’ union into what some critics describe as an advanced network for political mobilization and, sometimes, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s increase exhibits the complex relationship in between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in numerous reports, he has contributed in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of significant participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have typically been criticized for blurring the lines between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of disrupting ballot units and daunting voters, particularly those perceived to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s management has resulted in various legal difficulties. Notable amongst these was a court order during the 2023 elections that prevented 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 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 maintain order and structure within the transport sector, critics worry about the possible nationwide growth of what they view as an unsafe fusion of transport union power and political influence.

The consultation likewise raises more comprehensive concerns about the requirement 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 role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of intense debate and scrutiny.

This advancement acts as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the influence 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 wider political landscape.