MC Oluomo elected NURTW national president - Businessday NG
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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 triggered both event and issue across Nigeria's transport sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, widely called MC Oluomo, has emerged as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following a consensus election by union stakeholders and delegates.
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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 concerns about the crossway of transport unions and political power in Nigeria.
The Rise to Power
Delegates from four South-West states-- Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti-- took part in the election, which saw MC Oluomo as the sole candidate.
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.
The election likewise resulted in the appointment of Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President of South-West and Akeem Adeosun as trustee from the zone.
In his approval speech, MC Oluomo called for unity within the union, stating, "I have actually forgiven everyone who offended me, and I wish those I upset would forgive me too. This is our union, and we need to be committed to its conservation. We will not allow anyone to damage our ways of income."
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A Controversial Past
Nevertheless, MC Oluomo's ascension to the nationwide presidency features considerable baggage and debate.
Accusations 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 significantly, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo acquired national attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and voter intimidation.
He was captured on video making threats versus Igbo voters in Lagos State, warning them to either choose the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later declared the statement was a joke made to a good friend nicknamed "Iya Chukwudi," the occurrence resulted in extensive condemnation and requires his arrest.
The after-effects of his dangers materialized in election day violence, where political thugs presumably performed civil-war-era-style "eye tests" to determine Igbo citizens, preventing many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the development of a petition calling for worldwide travel bans against him, citing his role in inciting ethnic violence.
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 cited his doubtful leadership design and declared use of union resources for individual gain as considerable concerns.
The group stated, "MC Oluomo's management design is unacceptable. He utilized union resources for individual gain, overlooking members' welfare." They also raised concerns about his capability to efficiently lead the national body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his questionable management design.
The NURTW's Evolution
The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually progressed 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 functioning as a vital grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.
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The union's structure, which extends from major cities to remote locations, has actually made it an attractive partner for political actors looking for to establish control over local communities. This has actually led to transforming what was initially a transport workers' union into what some critics refer to as an advanced network for political mobilization and, sometimes, intimidation.
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Political Influence and Violence
MC Oluomo's rise exemplifies the complex relationship in between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in numerous reports, he has actually contributed in the Southwest's political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including noteworthy involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.
His methods of operation have actually typically been slammed for blurring the lines in between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his company was accused of interfering with polling systems and intimidating voters, particularly those viewed to be opposition fans.
Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The questionable nature of MC Oluomo's management has actually led to various legal obstacles. 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 concerns about the politicization of essential electoral processes.
Future Implications
As MC Oluomo assumes the nationwide leadership of the NURTW, questions remain about the union's future instructions and function in Nigeria's political landscape.
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While his advocates celebrate his ability to keep order and structure within the transportation sector, critics worry about the potential across the country expansion of what they view as an unsafe blend of transportation union power and political influence.
The appointment likewise raises broader concerns about the requirement for reform within Nigeria's transportation union structure and the relationship in between labour unions and political power.
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As the nation continues to face issues of democratic consolidation and ethnic consistency, the function of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a topic of extreme argument and scrutiny.
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This development acts as a defining 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 viewed by supporters and critics alike, with significant ramifications for the transport sector and Nigeria's more comprehensive political landscape.
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