MC Oluomo elected NURTW national president - Blueprint Newspapers Limited
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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 actually stimulated both event and issue across Nigeria's transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, widely called MC Oluomo, has become the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following a consensus 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 significant turning point in the controversial figure's career trajectory while raising major questions about the crossway of transportation unions and political power in Nigeria.
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 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 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 called for unity within the union, specifying, "I have actually forgiven everyone who angered me, and I want those I angered would forgive me also. This is our union, and we should be committed to its preservation. We will not allow anyone to destroy our ways of income."
A Controversial Past
Nevertheless, MC Oluomo's ascension to the national presidency comes with substantial luggage and controversy.

Claims of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transport 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 got national attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was recorded on video making threats versus Igbo citizens in Lagos State, alerting them to either vote for the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or remain at home. While he later on declared the declaration was a joke made to a friend nicknamed "Iya Chukwudi," the event resulted in extensive condemnation and calls for his arrest.
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The consequences of his hazards emerged in election day violence, where political goons supposedly carried out civil-war-era-style "eye tests" to determine Igbo citizens, preventing many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the development of a petition calling for worldwide travel restrictions versus him, mentioning his role 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 doubtful management design and alleged use of union resources for personal gain as substantial issues.

The group stated, "MC Oluomo's leadership style is unacceptable. He used union resources for personal gain, neglecting members' well-being." They also raised issues about his ability to efficiently lead the nationwide body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management design.
The NURTW's Evolution
The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has developed from an easy trade union into a powerful political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria's political landscape, often working as an essential grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union's structure, which extends from significant cities to remote locations, has actually made it an appealing partner for political actors seeking to develop control over regional communities. This has resulted in transforming what was originally a transportation workers' union into what some critics refer to as an advanced network for political mobilization and, sometimes, intimidation.
Political Influence and Violence
MC Oluomo's increase exemplifies the complex relationship in between transportation unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in various reports, he has actually contributed in the Southwest's political campaigns and mobilization efforts, consisting of noteworthy participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.
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His methods of operation have actually typically been slammed for blurring the lines between legitimate union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of disrupting polling units and daunting citizens, particularly those viewed to be opposition supporters.
bit.ly Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The controversial nature of MC Oluomo's leadership has caused various legal challenges. Significant amongst these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to distribute election products in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of vital electoral processes.
Future Implications
As MC Oluomo presumes the nationwide management of the NURTW, questions remain about the union's future instructions and role in Nigeria's political landscape.

While his advocates celebrate his capability to keep order and structure within the transport sector, critics worry about the prospective nationwide growth of what they view as an unsafe fusion of transportation union power and political influence.
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The appointment also raises wider 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 country 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 stay a topic of intense dispute and analysis.
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This advancement functions as a critical 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 begins his period as National President, his actions will be carefully watched by supporters and critics alike, with considerable implications for the transport sector and Nigeria's more comprehensive political landscape.
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