1 Oluomo emerges NURTW national president - The Nation Newspaper

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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 sparked both celebration and issue across Nigeria's transport sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, widely referred to as 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.

The election, which happened 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 severe questions about the intersection 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 prospect.
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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.
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The election also resulted in the visit 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, stating, "I have actually forgiven everyone who offended me, and I wish those I angered would forgive me also. This is our union, and we should be devoted to its preservation. We will not allow anybody to ruin our means of income."
bit.ly A Controversial Past
However, MC Oluomo's ascension to the nationwide presidency features considerable baggage and debate.

Allegations 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.
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Most especially, during the 2023 general elections, MC Oluomo gained national attention for his controversial function in election-related violence and voter intimidation.
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He was recorded on video making threats against Igbo voters in Lagos State, cautioning them to either choose the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later on declared the declaration was a joke made to a friend nicknamed "Iya Chukwudi," the incident resulted in widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.
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The after-effects of his threats emerged in election day violence, where political criminals apparently carried out civil-war-era-style "eye tests" to recognize Igbo voters, preventing many from exercising their democratic rights. These actions caused the development of a petition calling for international travel restrictions versus him, mentioning his function in inciting ethnic violence.
Opposition and Concerns
The Concerned Transporters in South West of Nigeria, a group of transport 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 management style and declared use of union resources for personal gain as substantial concerns.

The group specified, "MC Oluomo's management style is unacceptable. He utilized union resources for individual gain, ignoring members' welfare." They likewise raised concerns about his capability to successfully lead the national body, indicating his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his questionable management design.
bet9ja.com The NURTW's Evolution
The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually developed from an easy trade union into a powerful political force. With almost 2 million members, the union has ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria's political landscape, often serving as a vital grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.
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The union's structure, which extends from major cities to remote areas, has actually made it an attractive partner for political actors looking for to develop control over local neighborhoods. This has actually caused transforming what was initially a transportation employees' union into what some critics refer to as an advanced 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 numerous reports, he has contributed in the Southwest's political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including significant participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.
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His methods of operation have typically been slammed for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his company was implicated of interrupting polling systems and frightening citizens, especially those viewed to be opposition supporters.
bet9ja.com Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The questionable nature of MC Oluomo's leadership has actually resulted in different legal challenges. Notable among these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that avoided INEC from engaging his services to disperse election products in Lagos State, highlighting concerns about the politicization of important electoral procedures.
bet9ja.com Future Implications
As MC Oluomo assumes the nationwide leadership of the NURTW, concerns remain about the union's future direction and function in Nigeria's political landscape.
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While his advocates commemorate his capability to maintain order and structure within the transportation sector, critics stress over the prospective across the country expansion of what they view as a harmful fusion of transportation union power and political influence.

The appointment also raises more comprehensive questions about the requirement for reform within Nigeria's transport union structure and the relationship between labour unions and political power.

As the country continues to come to grips with problems of democratic consolidation and ethnic consistency, the role of influential union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely remain a topic of extreme debate and examination.

This advancement functions as a critical moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria's democratic institutions and the influence of non-state actors in the nation's political procedures.

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