MC Oluomo elected NURTW national president - Blueprint Newspapers Limited
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MC Oluomo's Controversial Rise: From Transport Union Leader to National NURTW President
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In a development that has stimulated both event and concern across Nigeria's transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely known as MC Oluomo, has actually 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 occurred at the Union's Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a considerable milestone in the controversial figure's profession trajectory while raising major concerns about the crossway of transport 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 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.
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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 acceptance speech, MC Oluomo called for unity within the union, mentioning, "I have actually forgiven everybody who offended me, and I want those I angered would forgive me also. This is our union, and we must be devoted to its conservation. We will not permit anybody to destroy our methods of income."
A Controversial Past
However, MC Oluomo's ascension to the national presidency comes with substantial baggage and controversy.
Allegations 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 especially, during the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo acquired nationwide attention for his questionable function in election-related violence and voter intimidation.
He was captured on video making threats versus Igbo voters in Lagos State, alerting them to either elect the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later claimed the declaration was a joke made to a pal nicknamed "Iya Chukwudi," the occurrence caused extensive condemnation and requires his arrest.
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The aftermath of his risks emerged in election day violence, where political goons apparently conducted civil-war-era-style "eye tests" to identify Igbo voters, preventing many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the production of a petition calling for international travel bans versus him, citing his function in inciting ethnic violence.
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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 mentioned his questionable leadership design and alleged use of union resources for individual gain as substantial concerns.
The group mentioned, "MC Oluomo's management design is unacceptable. He used union resources for personal gain, neglecting members' well-being." They also raised issues about his ability to effectively 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 evolved from a basic trade union into an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria's political landscape, frequently working as a vital grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.
The union's structure, which extends from major cities to remote locations, has made it an attractive partner for political actors looking for to develop control over regional communities. This has resulted in changing what was initially a transportation workers' union into what some critics describe as an advanced network for political mobilization and, in some cases, intimidation.
Political Influence and Violence
MC Oluomo's rise exhibits the complex relationship between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in numerous reports, he has contributed in the Southwest's political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of notable involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.
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His methods of operation have frequently been slammed for blurring the lines between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of interfering with polling units and frightening voters, especially those viewed to be opposition advocates.
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Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The questionable nature of MC Oluomo's leadership has actually led to various legal difficulties. Noteworthy amongst these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to disperse election products in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of vital electoral processes.
Future Implications
As MC Oluomo presumes the national management of the NURTW, concerns remain about the union's future direction and role in Nigeria's political landscape.
While his advocates celebrate his capability to keep order and structure within the transportation sector, critics stress over the potential across the country expansion of what they view as a hazardous blend of transport union power and political impact.
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The consultation likewise raises broader concerns about the need for reform within Nigeria's transportation union structure and the relationship between labour unions and political power.
As the nation continues to face problems of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic harmony, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a topic of extreme debate and examination.
This development functions 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 tenure as National President, his actions will be carefully seen by advocates and critics alike, with substantial ramifications for the transportation sector and Nigeria's wider political landscape.