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

In an advancement that has actually triggered both event and issue throughout Nigeria’s transportation sector, Musiliu Akinsanya, commonly referred to as MC Oluomo, has emerged as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) following an agreement election by union stakeholders and delegates.
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The election, which occurred at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun roadway in Osun State, marks a significant milestone in the questionable figure’s profession trajectory while raising serious concerns 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 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 acceptance speech, MC Oluomo called for unity within the union, specifying, “I have actually forgiven everybody who angered me, and I want those I upset would forgive me as well. This is our union, and we need to be committed to its conservation. We will not enable anybody to destroy our methods of income.”
A Controversial Past
However, MC Oluomo’s ascension to the national presidency comes with significant luggage and controversy.

Accusations 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 basic elections, MC Oluomo got national attention for his controversial role in election-related violence and citizen intimidation.

He was caught on video making threats against Igbo voters in Lagos State, alerting them to either elect the judgment All Progressives Congress (APC) or stay at home. While he later claimed the declaration was a joke made to a pal nicknamed “Iya Chukwudi,” the event led to widespread condemnation and calls for his arrest.
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The consequences of his threats emerged in election day violence, where political criminals supposedly performed civil-war-era-style “eye tests” to determine Igbo voters, preventing numerous from exercising their democratic rights. These actions led to the creation of a petition calling for global travel bans against him, citing his role in inciting ethnic violence.
bet9ja.com 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 questionable management design and declared use of union resources for individual gain as considerable issues.

The group stated, “MC Oluomo’s leadership design is inappropriate. He used union resources for individual gain, ignoring members’ welfare.” They also raised issues about his capability to efficiently lead the national body, pointing to his history of conflicts with previous leaders and his controversial management design.
bet9ja.com The NURTW’s Evolution
The NURTW, formed in 1978 as a follower to the Nigerian Road Transport Union, has actually evolved from a simple trade union into a powerful political force. With nearly 2 million members, the union has ended up being deeply embedded in Nigeria’s political landscape, often acting as a crucial grassroots mobilization tool for politicians.

The union’s structure, which extends from major cities to remote locations, has made it an appealing partner for political actors seeking to develop control over local communities. This has actually resulted in changing what was originally a transportation employees’ union into what some critics refer to as an advanced network for political mobilization and, in some cases, intimidation.
bit.ly Political Influence and Violence
MC Oluomo’s increase exhibits the complex relationship between transport unions and political power in Nigeria. As recorded in numerous reports, he has actually 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 actually typically been criticized for blurring the lines in between genuine union activities and political thuggery. During the 2023 elections, his organization was accused of interrupting polling units and daunting voters, particularly those viewed to be opposition supporters.
bet9ja.com Legal Challenges and Institutional Response
The questionable nature of MC Oluomo’s management has actually caused different legal obstacles. Notable amongst these was a court order throughout the 2023 elections that prevented INEC from engaging his services to disperse election materials in Lagos State, highlighting issues about the politicization of important electoral processes.
Future Implications
As MC Oluomo presumes the nationwide leadership of the NURTW, concerns remain about the union’s future instructions and function in Nigeria’s political landscape.

While his fans celebrate his capability to keep order and structure within the transport sector, critics stress over the prospective nationwide expansion of what they see as a hazardous fusion of transport union power and political influence.

The appointment also raises more comprehensive concerns about the need for reform within Nigeria’s transportation union structure and the relationship between labour unions and political power.

As the country continues to grapple with concerns of democratic consolidation and ethnic consistency, the function of prominent union leaders like MC Oluomo will likely stay a subject of extreme dispute and examination.

This development acts 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 watched by advocates and critics alike, with considerable implications for the transport sector and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.