mc-oluomo-emerges-nurtw-national-president---guardian-newspaper

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

In a development that has actually stimulated both event and concern throughout Nigeria's transportation sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, widely called MC Oluomo, has actually emerged as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following an agreement election by union stakeholders and delegates.

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 controversial figure's career trajectory while raising major questions about the intersection of transport unions and political power in Nigeria.
bet9ja.com 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.
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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 consultation of Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President of South-West and Akeem Adeosun as trustee from the zone.
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In his acceptance speech, MC Oluomo required unity within the union, mentioning, "I have forgiven everyone who offended me, and I wish those I upset would forgive me also. This is our union, and we should be dedicated to its conservation. We will not enable anybody to damage our methods of income."
A Controversial Past
Nevertheless, MC Oluomo's ascension to the national presidency includes considerable luggage and controversy.

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.
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Most notably, throughout the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo acquired nationwide attention for his questionable function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.
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He was captured on video making threats against Igbo citizens in Lagos State, cautioning them to either elect the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on claimed the declaration was a joke made to a pal nicknamed "Iya Chukwudi," the occurrence resulted in extensive condemnation and requires his arrest.

The aftermath of his threats materialized in election day violence, where political hooligans supposedly carried out civil-war-era-style "eye tests" to determine Igbo voters, avoiding numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the creation of a petition requiring international travel restrictions 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 transport 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 individual gain as considerable issues.

The group specified, "MC Oluomo's leadership style is undesirable. He utilized union resources for personal gain, disregarding members' welfare." They also raised issues about his capability to efficiently lead the national body, pointing to 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 evolved from an easy trade union into an effective political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has actually ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria's political landscape, frequently serving as a vital grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.
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The union's structure, which extends from significant cities to remote areas, has actually made it an attractive partner for political stars looking for to develop control over local neighborhoods. This has actually resulted in transforming what was originally a transport employees' union into what some critics refer to as an advanced network for political mobilization and, in some cases, intimidation.
bet9ja.com Political Influence and Violence
MC Oluomo's rise exemplifies the complex relationship in between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in various reports, he has been instrumental in the Southwest's political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of significant participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.
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His methods of operation have often been slammed for blurring the lines between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his company was accused of disrupting ballot systems and intimidating voters, especially those viewed to be opposition advocates.
bit.ly Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The controversial nature of MC Oluomo's management has actually caused numerous 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 issues about the politicization of essential electoral processes.
bet9ja.com Future Implications
As MC Oluomo presumes the national management of the NURTW, questions remain 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 transportation sector, critics fret about the prospective across the country expansion of what they view as an unsafe blend of transport union power and political influence.

The appointment also raises more comprehensive questions about the need 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 consolidation and ethnic harmony, the role of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of intense dispute and examination.
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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 procedures.

As MC Oluomo starts his tenure as National President, his actions will be closely watched by supporters and critics alike, with substantial implications for the transportation sector and Nigeria's more comprehensive political landscape.
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