mc-oluomo-elected-nurtw-national-president---tribune-online

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

In a development that has actually sparked both celebration and issue throughout Nigeria's transportation sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, widely called MC Oluomo, has become the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following a consensus 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 substantial turning point in the questionable figure's profession trajectory while raising major concerns about the crossway of transportation unions and political power in Nigeria.
The Rise to Power
Delegates from 4 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.
bit.ly
The election likewise led to the consultation of Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President of South-West and Akeem Adeosun as trustee from the zone.
bet9ja.com
In his acceptance speech, MC Oluomo called for unity within the union, specifying, "I have actually forgiven everybody who angered me, and I want those I offended would forgive me also. This is our union, and we need to be devoted to its preservation. We will not allow anyone to destroy our ways of income."
A Controversial Past
However, MC Oluomo's ascension to the nationwide presidency includes considerable 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 basic elections, MC Oluomo got nationwide attention for his questionable function in election-related violence and voter intimidation.
bit.ly
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 remain at home. While he later on declared the statement was a joke made to a friend nicknamed "Iya Chukwudi," the occurrence led to widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.
bit.ly
The aftermath of his dangers emerged in election day violence, where political hooligans supposedly conducted civil-war-era-style "eye tests" to identify Igbo voters, preventing many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the creation of a petition calling for global travel bans versus him, citing his function in prompting ethnic violence.
bit.ly 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 mentioned his doubtful leadership design and declared use of union resources for individual gain as significant concerns.
bet9ja.com
The group mentioned, "MC Oluomo's leadership design is undesirable. He used union resources for individual gain, ignoring members' well-being." They also raised issues about his ability to effectively lead the national body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his questionable management design.
bit.ly The NURTW's Evolution
The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually developed from an easy trade union into a powerful political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has actually ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria's political landscape, often functioning as a vital grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.
bet9ja.com
The union's structure, which extends from major cities to remote areas, has made it an attractive partner for political stars seeking to establish control over local neighborhoods. This has led to transforming what was originally a transport workers' union into what some critics describe as a sophisticated 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 recorded in numerous reports, he has been instrumental in the Southwest's political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including noteworthy 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 between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of interfering with ballot 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 actually led to numerous legal challenges. Significant 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 concerns about the politicization of essential electoral processes.
bet9ja.com Future Implications
As MC Oluomo assumes the national management of the NURTW, concerns remain about the union's future direction and role in Nigeria's political landscape.
bet9ja.com
While his supporters celebrate his ability to keep order and structure within the transportation sector, critics fret about the possible nationwide expansion of what they view as a hazardous blend of transportation union power and political impact.
bet9ja.com
The visit also raises wider questions 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 consistency, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a topic of intense argument and scrutiny.

This advancement serves as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria's democratic institutions and the impact of non-state actors 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 considerable ramifications for the transportation sector and Nigeria's more comprehensive political landscape.