MC Oluomo emerges NURTW President – Tunde Ednut

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

In a development that has stimulated both celebration and issue across Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, popularly referred to as MC Oluomo, has emerged as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following a consensus 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 considerable milestone in the questionable figure’s career trajectory while raising serious questions about the intersection of transportation unions and political power in Nigeria.

The Rise to Power

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

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 required unity within the union, specifying, “I have forgiven everyone who angered me, and I wish those I upset would forgive me too. This is our union, and we should be dedicated to its preservation. We will not enable anyone to ruin our means of income.”

A Controversial Past

Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency includes substantial luggage and controversy.

Accusations 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 notably, during the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo gained nationwide attention for his questionable function in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

He was recorded on video making threats versus Igbo citizens in Lagos State, cautioning them to either vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later claimed the declaration was a joke made to a friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the occurrence caused widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The consequences of his dangers emerged in election day violence, where political hooligans supposedly conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo citizens, avoiding lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the development of a petition calling for worldwide travel bans versus him, citing his role in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport workers, 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 management design and alleged use of union resources for personal gain as significant issues.

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

The NURTW’s Evolution

The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually progressed from a simple trade union into an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often 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 looking for to establish control over regional neighborhoods. This has actually caused transforming what was initially a transport employees’ union into what some critics refer to as an advanced network for political mobilization and, often, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

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

His methods of operation have actually often been slammed for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was accused of disrupting ballot units and daunting citizens, particularly those perceived to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has led to various legal challenges. Significant among these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to disperse election materials in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of essential electoral processes.

Future Implications

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

While his supporters celebrate his ability to keep order and structure within the transport sector, critics worry about the potential nationwide growth of what they view as a dangerous fusion of transport union power and political impact.

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

As the country continues to face issues of democratic consolidation and ethnic harmony, the function of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of intense debate and examination.

This development functions 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 procedures.

As MC Oluomo begins his period as National President, his actions will be carefully viewed by supporters and critics alike, with significant implications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s more comprehensive political landscape.