Oluomo emerges 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 event and concern throughout 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 occurred at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a significant turning point in the questionable figure’s profession trajectory while raising serious 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– took part in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole candidate.

The process 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 resulted in the visit 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, stating, “I have actually forgiven everybody who angered me, and I wish those I upset would forgive me also. This is our union, and we should be committed to its conservation. We will not enable anybody to destroy our methods of livelihood.”

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency includes significant luggage and debate.

Allegations 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 notably, during the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo acquired national attention for his questionable role in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

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

The after-effects of his hazards materialized in election day violence, where political punks supposedly carried out civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to recognize Igbo citizens, preventing lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the production of a petition calling for international travel restrictions against him, citing his function in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation 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 cited his questionable management design and alleged use of union resources for individual gain as substantial issues.

The group mentioned, “MC Oluomo’s leadership design is unacceptable. He used union resources for individual gain, ignoring members’ well-being.” They likewise raised issues about his capability to effectively lead the national body, pointing to his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his questionable management style.

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually progressed from an easy trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically acting as an essential 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 stars looking for to develop control over local communities. This has actually resulted in changing what was originally a transport employees’ union into what some critics refer to as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, often, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s rise exemplifies the complex relationship between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in numerous reports, he has been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including notable participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have actually frequently been criticized for blurring the lines between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of interfering with polling units and daunting citizens, particularly those viewed to be opposition fans.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s management has actually caused different legal obstacles. Notable among these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to disperse election materials in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of important electoral processes.

Future Implications

As MC Oluomo assumes the nationwide management of the NURTW, questions stay about the union’s future instructions and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his advocates celebrate his ability to keep order and structure within the transportation sector, critics worry about the possible nationwide growth of what they view as an unsafe combination of transport union power and political influence.

The appointment likewise 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 issues of democratic combination and ethnic harmony, the function of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a topic of intense argument and examination.

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

As MC Oluomo begins his tenure as National President, his actions will be closely watched by advocates and critics alike, with substantial ramifications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.