MC Oluomo emerges NURTW national president – TVC News

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

In an advancement that has triggered both celebration and issue across Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, commonly referred to as MC Oluomo, has actually 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 took place at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a substantial milestone in the questionable figure’s career trajectory while raising severe concerns 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 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 also led to 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, specifying, “I have actually forgiven everybody who upset me, and I wish those I angered would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we must be dedicated to its conservation. We will not permit anybody to destroy our means of income.”

A Controversial Past

However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency comes with considerable luggage and controversy.

Claims 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, during the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo got nationwide attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and voter intimidation.

He was recorded on video making threats versus Igbo voters in Lagos State, cautioning them to either vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on declared the declaration was a joke made to a friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event resulted in extensive condemnation and requires his arrest.

The after-effects of his hazards emerged in election day violence, where political punks apparently conducted civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo citizens, preventing numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the development of a petition requiring global travel bans against him, mentioning his function in prompting ethnic violence.

Opposition and Concerns

The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation employees, has vehemently opposed MC Oluomo’s rise to power. In a communique signed by Comrade Taiwo Ariyo and Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the group cited his doubtful management design and declared use of union resources for personal gain as significant issues.

The group mentioned, “MC Oluomo’s management style is undesirable. He utilized union resources for personal gain, overlooking members’ well-being.” They likewise raised issues about his ability to efficiently 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 follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has developed from a simple trade union into an effective political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, typically serving as an important grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has made it an appealing partner for political actors looking for to develop control over regional communities. This has caused changing what was originally a transport workers’ union into what some critics refer to as an advanced network for political mobilization and, sometimes, intimidation.

Political Influence and Violence

MC Oluomo’s rise exhibits the complex relationship in 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, including significant involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have actually often been slammed for blurring the lines between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of interfering with polling units and frightening voters, especially those viewed to be opposition supporters.

Legal Challenges and Institutional Response

The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s leadership has actually resulted in different legal challenges. Notable among these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to distribute election products in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of vital electoral processes.

Future Implications

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

While his supporters celebrate his capability to keep order and structure within the transport sector, critics worry about the prospective nationwide growth of what they see as a hazardous blend of transportation union power and political impact.

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

As the nation continues to come to grips with concerns of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic harmony, the function of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of intense debate and examination.

This development works as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic organizations and the impact of non-state stars in the nation’s political procedures.

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