MC Oluomo elected NURTW national president - Vanguard Newspaper
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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 sparked both celebration and issue across Nigeria's transport sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, has become the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following an agreement election by union stakeholders and delegates.
The election, which took place at the Union's Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State, marks a significant milestone in the controversial 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-- took part in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole prospect.
The process 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.
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The election also led to the visit of Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President of South-West and Akeem Adeosun as trustee from the zone.
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In his approval speech, MC Oluomo called for unity within the union, stating, "I have actually forgiven everybody who upset me, and I want those I angered would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we need to be dedicated to its conservation. We will not allow anyone to ruin our means of income."
A Controversial Past
However, MC Oluomo's ascension to the nationwide presidency includes considerable baggage and controversy.
Claims of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transportation union structures for political purposes marked his tenure as the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NURTW.
Most especially, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo got nationwide attention for his questionable role in election-related violence and voter intimidation.
He was caught 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 good friend nicknamed "Iya Chukwudi," the occurrence caused prevalent condemnation and requires his arrest.
The after-effects of his threats materialized in election day violence, where political punks allegedly carried out civil-war-era-style "eye tests" to recognize Igbo citizens, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the development of a petition calling for global travel bans against him, citing his function in inciting ethnic violence.
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 questionable management style and declared use of union resources for personal gain as substantial concerns.
The group mentioned, "MC Oluomo's management style is undesirable. He used union resources for individual gain, neglecting members' welfare." They likewise raised concerns about his ability to successfully lead the national body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his questionable management style.
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 an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has become deeply embedded in Nigeria's political landscape, frequently working as a crucial grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.
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 develop control over regional neighborhoods. This has actually led to transforming what was originally a transportation workers' union into what some critics refer to as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, often, intimidation.
Political Influence and Violence
MC Oluomo's rise exhibits the complex relationship in between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in different reports, he has actually contributed in the Southwest's political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of significant involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.
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His methods of operation have actually often been slammed for blurring the lines between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of disrupting polling systems and intimidating voters, especially those perceived to be opposition supporters.
Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The questionable nature of MC Oluomo's management has actually led to different legal difficulties. Notable among these was a court order during the 2023 elections that prevented 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 assumes the national management of the NURTW, questions stay about the union's future instructions and function in Nigeria's political landscape.
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While his supporters commemorate his ability to maintain order and structure within the transport sector, critics worry about the prospective across the country growth of what they view as an unsafe fusion of transport union power and political impact.
The appointment also raises broader questions about the requirement for reform within Nigeria's transport union structure and the relationship in between labour unions and political power.
As the country continues to come to grips with problems of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic harmony, the function of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of extreme argument and analysis.
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This development serves 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 processes.
As MC Oluomo starts his period as National President, his actions will be closely viewed by advocates and critics alike, with significant ramifications for the transport sector and Nigeria's broader political landscape.