by Kristofer Oreilly
MC Oluomo’s Controversial Rise: From Transport Union Leader to National NURTW President
In a development that has stimulated both event and issue across Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, has actually 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 roadway in Osun State, marks a significant milestone in the controversial figure’s career trajectory while raising serious concerns 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 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 called for unity within the union, specifying, “I have actually forgiven everybody who angered me, and I wish those I upset would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we must be committed to its preservation. We will not permit anybody to ruin our ways of income.”
A Controversial Past
Nevertheless, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the nationwide presidency comes with significant baggage and debate.
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.
Most especially, during the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo gained nationwide attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and voter intimidation.
He was recorded on video making threats versus Igbo citizens in Lagos State, cautioning them to either elect the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later on claimed the statement was a joke made to a good friend nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event caused extensive condemnation and requires his arrest.
The aftermath of his threats emerged in election day violence, where political criminals presumably performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to identify Igbo citizens, avoiding many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions resulted in the creation of a petition requiring international travel restrictions against him, citing his function in prompting 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 questionable management design and alleged use of union resources for personal gain as significant concerns.
The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s leadership design is undesirable. He used union resources for personal gain, overlooking members’ welfare.” They also raised issues about his ability to effectively lead the nationwide 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 follower 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 actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often functioning as an essential grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.
The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote areas, has made it an appealing partner for political actors seeking to develop control over regional neighborhoods. This has actually resulted in changing what was originally a transport workers’ union into what some critics refer to as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, in some cases, intimidation.
Political Influence and Violence
MC Oluomo’s rise exhibits the complex relationship between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in various reports, he has actually been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of noteworthy involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.
His methods of operation have often been slammed for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was accused of interrupting polling units and intimidating citizens, particularly those perceived to be opposition fans.
Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The controversial nature of MC Oluomo’s management has led to different legal challenges. Noteworthy 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 procedures.
Future Implications
As MC Oluomo assumes the nationwide leadership of the NURTW, questions remain about the union’s future direction and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.
While his advocates commemorate his ability to preserve order and structure within the transport sector, critics worry about the possible nationwide expansion of what they see as an unsafe fusion of transportation union power and political influence.
The visit also raises broader concerns 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 function of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a subject of extreme argument and analysis.
This advancement works as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the impact of non-state actors in the nation’s political processes.
As MC Oluomo starts his tenure as National President, his actions will be closely watched by fans and critics alike, with considerable ramifications for the transportation sector and Nigeria’s more comprehensive political landscape.
