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

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

In an advancement that has triggered both event and concern throughout Nigeria's transportation sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, has actually emerged as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following a consensus 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 substantial turning point in the controversial figure's profession trajectory while raising severe concerns about the intersection of transportation unions and political power in Nigeria.
bet9ja.com 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 prospect.
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The process was monitored 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 resulted in 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 approval speech, MC Oluomo required unity within the union, mentioning, "I have actually forgiven everyone who angered me, and I want those I angered would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we should be devoted to its conservation. We will not enable anybody to ruin our ways of income."
bet9ja.com A Controversial Past
Nevertheless, MC Oluomo's ascension to the nationwide presidency comes with substantial luggage and controversy.
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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 basic elections, MC Oluomo acquired national attention for his questionable role in election-related violence and voter intimidation.
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He was captured on video making threats versus Igbo citizens in Lagos State, warning them to either elect the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later declared the declaration was a joke made to a buddy nicknamed "Iya Chukwudi," the occurrence caused prevalent condemnation and calls for his arrest.
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The after-effects of his dangers emerged in election day violence, where political goons apparently carried out civil-war-era-style "eye tests" to determine Igbo citizens, preventing lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the production of a petition requiring international travel restrictions against him, mentioning his role in inciting ethnic violence.
Opposition and Concerns
The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport employees, has emphatically opposed MC Oluomo's rise to power. In a communique signed by Comrade Taiwo Ariyo and Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, the group mentioned his doubtful management design and declared use of union resources for individual gain as considerable concerns.
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The group mentioned, "MC Oluomo's management design is unacceptable. He utilized union resources for personal gain, neglecting members' well-being." They also raised issues about his ability to successfully lead the nationwide body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his questionable management style.
bet9ja.com The NURTW's Evolution
The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually developed 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 a crucial 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 appealing partner for political stars looking for to develop control over regional neighborhoods. This has caused transforming what was initially a transportation employees' union into what some critics describe as an advanced network for political mobilization and, sometimes, intimidation.
Political Influence and Violence
MC Oluomo's increase exhibits the complex relationship between transportation 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 noteworthy involvement in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have actually often been slammed for blurring the lines between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of interfering with polling systems and intimidating voters, particularly those perceived to be opposition fans.
Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The controversial nature of MC Oluomo's leadership has resulted in various legal obstacles. Notable among these was a court order during the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to disperse election materials in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of vital electoral procedures.
bet9ja.com Future Implications
As MC Oluomo presumes the national management of the NURTW, concerns stay about the union's future direction and role in Nigeria's political landscape.
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While his advocates celebrate his capability to preserve order and structure within the transportation sector, critics stress over the prospective across the country expansion of what they see as a dangerous combination of transportation union power and political impact.
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The appointment also 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 nation continues to come to grips with problems of democratic debt consolidation and ethnic harmony, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of extreme argument and scrutiny.

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 procedures.

As MC Oluomo begins his period as National President, his actions will be carefully viewed by supporters and critics alike, with considerable implications for the transportation sector and Nigeria's wider political landscape.