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

In a development that has actually sparked both celebration and issue across Nigeria’s transport sector, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Akinsanya, popularly known as 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 took place at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a considerable milestone in the questionable figure’s profession trajectory while raising major questions 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.
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In his acceptance speech, MC Oluomo required unity within the union, mentioning, “I have actually forgiven everybody who upset me, and I want those I angered would forgive me too. This is our union, and we must be devoted to its conservation. We will not permit anyone to destroy our ways of income.”
bet9ja.com A Controversial Past
However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency comes with substantial luggage and controversy.

Allegations of violence, political intimidation, and the weaponization of transportation union structures for political purposes marked his period as the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NURTW.
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Most notably, during the 2023 basic elections, MC Oluomo acquired nationwide attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was captured on video making threats against Igbo citizens in Lagos State, warning them to either vote for the judgment 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 event caused widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.

The consequences of his dangers materialized in election day violence, where political hooligans supposedly performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to recognize Igbo voters, preventing lots of from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the production of a petition calling for worldwide travel bans against him, citing his role in prompting ethnic violence.
bit.ly 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 leadership style and declared use of union resources for personal gain as considerable concerns.
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The group specified, “MC Oluomo’s leadership design is inappropriate. He utilized union resources for individual gain, disregarding members’ well-being.” They also raised issues about his ability to successfully lead the national body, pointing to his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management design.
bit.ly The NURTW’s Evolution
The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a successor to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually developed from a simple trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has actually become deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, frequently working as a vital grassroots mobilization tool for political leaders.

The union’s structure, which extends from significant cities to remote locations, has actually made it an attractive partner for political stars looking for to develop control over regional communities. This has led to transforming what was originally a transport employees’ union into what some critics describe as a sophisticated network for political mobilization and, in some cases, intimidation.
bet9ja.com Political Influence and Violence
MC Oluomo’s rise exemplifies the complex relationship between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As documented in various reports, he has been instrumental in the Southwest’s political campaigns and mobilization efforts, including noteworthy participation in the 2018 Osun State governorship election and subsequent political contests.

His methods of operation have frequently been slammed for blurring the lines between genuine union activities and political thuggery. Throughout the 2023 elections, his organization was implicated of interrupting ballot systems and frightening citizens, especially those viewed to be opposition supporters.
bit.ly Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s management has resulted in numerous legal obstacles. Significant amongst these was a court order throughout 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 processes.
bet9ja.com Future Implications
As MC Oluomo assumes the national management of the NURTW, questions remain about the union’s future instructions and role in Nigeria’s political landscape.
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While his supporters celebrate his capability to keep order and structure within the transport sector, critics worry about the possible nationwide expansion of what they view as a hazardous blend of transport union power and political influence.
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The consultation likewise raises more comprehensive concerns 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 face issues of democratic consolidation and ethnic harmony, the function of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of extreme dispute and scrutiny.

This development functions as a defining moment for reflection on the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the impact of non-state actors in the country’s political procedures.

As MC Oluomo begins his tenure as National President, his actions will be closely enjoyed by supporters and critics alike, with significant implications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.