oluomo-emerges-nurtw-national-president---premium-times-nigeria

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

In a development that has triggered both event and issue throughout Nigeria's transportation sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, popularly called MC Oluomo, has emerged as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following an agreement election by union stakeholders and delegates.
bit.ly
The election, which occurred at the Union's Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a substantial turning point in the questionable figure's career trajectory while raising severe questions about the crossway 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 also resulted in the visit 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 everyone who angered me, and I want those I angered would forgive me too. This is our union, and we should be committed to its preservation. We will not allow anybody to damage our means of livelihood."
A Controversial Past
Nevertheless, MC Oluomo's ascension to the national presidency features considerable luggage and controversy.
bet9ja.com
Claims 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.
bet9ja.com
Most notably, throughout the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo acquired nationwide attention for his questionable function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.
bet9ja.com
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 buddy nicknamed "Iya Chukwudi," the incident led to widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The after-effects of his threats emerged in election day violence, where political punks apparently performed civil-war-era-style "eye tests" to determine Igbo voters, preventing lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the creation of a petition requiring global travel bans against him, mentioning his function in inciting ethnic violence.
bit.ly Opposition and Concerns
The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transportation employees, has emphatically opposed MC Oluomo's rise to power. In a communique signed by Comrade Taiwo Ariyo and Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the group mentioned his doubtful management style and declared use of union resources for individual gain as significant issues.

The group specified, "MC Oluomo's management design is inappropriate. He utilized union resources for personal gain, ignoring members' well-being." They likewise raised issues about his capability to effectively lead the nationwide 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 successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually evolved from a basic trade union into an effective political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria's political landscape, often serving as a vital grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.
bit.ly
The union's structure, which extends from major cities to remote locations, has actually made it an attractive partner for political actors seeking to establish control over regional neighborhoods. This has resulted in transforming what was originally a transportation employees' union into what some critics describe as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, sometimes, intimidation.
bit.ly Political Influence and Violence
MC Oluomo's rise exemplifies 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, including notable involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.
bit.ly
His methods of operation have often been slammed for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his company was accused of interrupting ballot units and frightening voters, especially those perceived to be opposition supporters.
bit.ly Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The controversial nature of MC Oluomo's leadership has caused various legal challenges. Significant amongst these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to disperse election products in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of essential electoral processes.
bit.ly Future Implications
As MC Oluomo assumes the nationwide management of the NURTW, concerns stay about the union's future direction and function in Nigeria's political landscape.
bet9ja.com
While his fans commemorate his ability to preserve order and structure within the transport sector, critics worry about the potential nationwide growth of what they see as a harmful combination of transportation union power and political influence.

The visit likewise 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 issues of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic harmony, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of extreme debate and scrutiny.

This advancement acts as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria's democratic institutions and the impact of non-state stars in the nation's political procedures.

As MC Oluomo starts his tenure as National President, his actions will be carefully enjoyed by fans and critics alike, with substantial implications for the transport sector and Nigeria's wider political landscape.
bet9ja.com