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MC Oluomo emerges NURTW President – ThisDayLive

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

In a development that has actually stimulated both celebration and issue throughout Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely referred to as MC Oluomo, has 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 took place at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a significant milestone in the controversial figure’s profession trajectory while raising major 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 candidate.

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

In his acceptance speech, MC Oluomo called for unity within the union, stating, “I have actually forgiven everybody who offended me, and I wish those I upset would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we need to be committed to its conservation. We will not allow anyone to destroy our means of income.”

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency features significant luggage and debate.

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

Most notably, during the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo gained national attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was caught on video making threats versus Igbo voters in Lagos State, warning them to either elect the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later on declared the declaration was a joke made to a buddy nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the incident resulted in extensive condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The after-effects of his threats materialized in election day violence, where political punks presumably conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo voters, avoiding lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the production of a petition requiring worldwide travel bans versus him, mentioning his role 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 mentioned his questionable leadership style and alleged use of union resources for individual gain as considerable issues.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s leadership style is unacceptable. He used union resources for individual gain, disregarding members’ welfare.” They also raised issues about his ability to successfully lead the national 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 progressed from an easy trade union into an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has actually ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often working as an important grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote locations, has actually made it an attractive partner for political actors looking for to establish control over regional communities. This has actually caused changing what was originally a transport 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 between transport 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 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 between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was accused of disrupting polling units and daunting citizens, especially those viewed to be opposition fans.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

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

Future Implications

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

While his advocates celebrate his ability to keep order and structure within the transportation sector, critics stress over the possible across the country expansion of what they view as an unsafe blend of transportation union power and political impact.

The consultation also raises broader concerns 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 come to grips with issues of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic consistency, the function of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of extreme dispute and analysis.

This advancement serves as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the impact of non-state stars in the country’s political processes.

As MC Oluomo begins his period as National President, his actions will be carefully watched by supporters and critics alike, with substantial ramifications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s wider political landscape.