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 an advancement that has stimulated both celebration and issue throughout Nigeria's transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, commonly 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 happened at the Union's Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a considerable turning point in the questionable figure's profession trajectory while raising serious questions 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-- participated in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole candidate.
The procedure was supervised 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, stating, "I have actually forgiven everybody who upset me, and I want those I offended would forgive me also. This is our union, and we must be committed to its conservation. We will not permit anybody to destroy our means of income."
A Controversial Past
Nevertheless, MC Oluomo's ascension to the national presidency includes significant luggage and controversy.
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Claims 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.
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Most significantly, throughout the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo acquired national attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and voter intimidation.
He was caught on video making threats versus Igbo citizens in Lagos State, cautioning them to either choose the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later on claimed the declaration was a joke made to a good friend nicknamed "Iya Chukwudi," the event led to widespread condemnation and requires his arrest.
The after-effects of his hazards materialized in election day violence, where political thugs apparently carried out civil-war-era-style "eye tests" to recognize Igbo citizens, preventing lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the development of a petition requiring global travel restrictions versus him, mentioning his function in inciting ethnic violence.
Opposition and Concerns
The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport workers, has emphatically 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 substantial concerns.
The group stated, "MC Oluomo's management style is undesirable. He used union resources for individual gain, overlooking members' welfare." They likewise raised concerns about his capability to efficiently 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 follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually progressed from a simple trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria's political landscape, typically working as an important grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.
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The union's structure, which extends from major cities to remote areas, has made it an attractive partner for political actors seeking to establish control over local neighborhoods. This has actually resulted in transforming what was initially a transport workers' union into what some critics describe as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, often, intimidation.
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Political Influence and Violence
MC Oluomo's increase exhibits the complex relationship in between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in numerous reports, he has contributed in the Southwest's political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of significant 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 in between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his company was accused of interfering with ballot systems and daunting citizens, particularly those viewed to be opposition advocates.
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Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The controversial nature of MC Oluomo's management has caused numerous legal challenges. Significant amongst these was a court order during the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to distribute election products in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of important electoral procedures.
Future Implications
As MC Oluomo presumes the nationwide leadership of the NURTW, concerns stay about the union's future direction and role in Nigeria's political landscape.
While his supporters celebrate his capability to maintain order and structure within the transportation sector, critics fret about the possible across the country growth of what they view as a harmful fusion of transportation union power and political impact.
The visit 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 country continues to face problems of democratic combination and ethnic consistency, the function of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a topic of intense argument and scrutiny.
This development acts as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria's democratic organizations and the impact of non-state stars in the country's political procedures.
As MC Oluomo starts his tenure as National President, his actions will be carefully seen by supporters and critics alike, with substantial implications for the transport sector and Nigeria's more comprehensive political landscape.