mc-oluomo-elected-as-nurtw-president---nairaland-forum

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

In an advancement that has actually stimulated both event and issue across Nigeria's transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely known 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 occurred at the Union's Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a considerable turning point in the controversial figure's profession trajectory while raising severe concerns about the intersection 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 prospect.

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.
bet9ja.com
The election likewise led to the appointment of Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President of South-West and Akeem Adeosun as trustee from the zone.
bit.ly
In his approval speech, MC Oluomo called for unity within the union, stating, "I have forgiven everyone who offended me, and I want those I angered would forgive me too. This is our union, and we need to be committed to its conservation. We will not permit anyone to ruin our ways of livelihood."
bet9ja.com A Controversial Past
However, MC Oluomo's ascension to the nationwide presidency includes significant luggage and controversy.
bet9ja.com
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 especially, during the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo gained national attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.
bit.ly
He was caught on video making threats against Igbo voters in Lagos State, warning them to either choose the judgment 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 led to widespread condemnation and requires his arrest.

The consequences of his threats materialized in election day violence, where political criminals allegedly carried out civil-war-era-style "eye tests" to determine Igbo citizens, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the creation of a petition calling for global 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 transport employees, has actually vehemently opposed MC Oluomo's rise to power. In a communique signed by Comrade Taiwo Ariyo and Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the group cited his questionable leadership design and declared use of union resources for personal gain as considerable issues.

The group mentioned, "MC Oluomo's management style is inappropriate. He utilized union resources for individual gain, neglecting members' well-being." They likewise raised issues about his capability to successfully lead the national body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management design.
bit.ly The NURTW's Evolution
The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has evolved from a basic trade union into a powerful political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria's political landscape, often functioning as a crucial grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union's structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has actually made it an attractive partner for political actors looking for to establish control over regional neighborhoods. This has caused changing 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 documented in different reports, he has been instrumental in the Southwest's political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including significant participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have typically been slammed for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his organization was accused of interfering with polling units and frightening voters, particularly those viewed to be opposition fans.
bet9ja.com Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The questionable nature of MC Oluomo's leadership has caused various legal difficulties. Significant amongst these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to disperse election products in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of essential electoral processes.
Future Implications
As MC Oluomo assumes the national leadership of the NURTW, concerns stay about the union's future direction and function in Nigeria's political landscape.

While his supporters commemorate his capability to keep order and structure within the transport sector, critics stress over the prospective nationwide expansion of what they see as a harmful combination of transportation union power and political impact.

The appointment also raises wider questions about the requirement for reform within Nigeria's transportation union structure and the relationship between labour unions and political power.
bit.ly
As the country continues to come to grips with issues of democratic combination and ethnic harmony, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of extreme dispute and examination.

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

As MC Oluomo starts his tenure as National President, his actions will be closely seen by fans and critics alike, with significant implications for the transportation sector and Nigeria's wider political landscape.