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NURTW PETITIONS TINUBU, ACCUSES CHIEF OF STAFF, GBAJABIAMILA, OF SPONSORING MC OLUOMO’S IMPOSITION AS UNION LEADER
The national leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has written to President Bola Tinubu, accusing the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, of sponsoring and imposing the President’s loyalist, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, on the union.
The NURTW made the allegation in an open letter placed as advert and signed by its President, Alhaji Ibikunle Tajudeen Baruwa.
The open letter is titled ‘SOS: A Passionate Appeal for your Immediate Intervention; Re: War of Attrition against National Union of Road Transport Workers by Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff,’ is dated December 24, 2024.
The union called for President Tinubu’s immediate intervention in the matter, saying the controversy ravaging the union was caused by Gbajabiamila’s actions, who is allegedly sponsoring the imposition of MC Oluomo on the union.
MC Oluomo emerged as the National President of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
He secured unanimous votes from all of the delegates in the Union’s Quadrennial Delegate Conference for Zone 2 Council of the Union, which was held in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.
According to reports, MC Oluomo was nominated for the national position by the Ondo State Chairman of the Union and this was seconded by the Ekiti State Chairman.
Reacting to the result of the election, the Acting National President of the Union, Aliyu Ore, who was represented at the delegate conference maintained that MC Oluomo’s emergence as the incoming president is in line with the Union’s constitution.
But Baruwa in the letter, also endorsed by the Acting General Secretary, Comrade Sulaimon A. Musa and Treasurer, Bello Maduganari, stated, “We, the concerned National Officers and members of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), have found it necessary to bring to your attention through this medium, the benighted and awry fate of the Union.
“We wish to draw Your Excellency’s attention to the challenges currently facing the National leadership of the Union, which we believe are exacerbated by certain actions attributed to the Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.”
The letter further read, “The situation leaves no hope of survival for the Union unless there is definitive intervention by your humble self.
“Your Excellency Sir, since last year, there are concerns about actions that appear to undermine the Union’s constitution, allegedly aimed at influencing the leadership structure of the Union in a manner inconsistent with due process.
“We have been keeping quiet, believing that common sense will eventually prevail.
“To that effect and law-abiding citizens, we chose to handle the matter legally, but the situation keeps getting from bad to worse, hence this open letter to your exalted office for intervention.”
The letter explained that on May 24, 2023, Baruwa was duly elected for a second term in office and sworn in on August 21, 2023, in accordance and strict adherence to the provisions of the constitution of the Union.
“However, on August 28, 2023, it has been reported that a group of individuals forcefully entered the National Secretariat, resulting in the disruption of the duly elected leadership of the Union, and other National officers of the Union in the interest of peace and to avoid bloodshed, we instituted action at the National Industrial Court, Abuja against the illegal action of the former president and legitimate group in suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023.
“The National Industrial Court on the 11th of March 2024, the court delivered judgment in our favour.”
Not satisfied with the judgment of the National Industrial Court, “Our opponents filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, Abuja and on November 8, 2024, the Court of Appeal ruled on the matter and affirmed the judgment of the trial court.
“Soon after the Court of Appeal judgment, the former president, Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin purportedly inaugurated Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo) as illegal president of the Union even when the said MC Oluomo did not participate in any election for the presidency of the Union as he was not a member of the Union at the time of the election as he voluntarily existed himself from the Union having publicly denounced his membership of the Union and joined the Lagos state Park Management Committee.
“Sir, we have received information suggesting that certain influential figures may be providing support to individuals acting in defiance of court orders, as contained in the judgments of the National Industrial Court as validated by the Court of Appeal.
“It is on record that there are allegations that some individuals have expressed confidence in their actions based on perceived backing from high-ranking officials, which undermines the rule of law and the judiciary’s authority.
“We are prompted to bring this matter before Your Excellency because we sincerely believe that the “coup de grace” will come from you, being an advocate of democracy and the rule of law.
“Your Excellency Sir, we further employ you to use your good offices to cause a proper scrutiny of the doings of the Chief of Staff, with a view to saving a portentously vicious circle to industrial democracy, nay to political democracy, which the Federal Government has been sparing no resources to plant and enthrone as basis of the Nigeria polity.”
MC Oluomo – President Tinubu’s Loyalist
In March 2023, MC Oluomo sparked outrage when he threatened Igbo people in Lagos, warning them to stay home during the governorship election unless they planned to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates.
He was caught on video threatening Igbo people in Lagos, warning them not to vote for candidates outside the ruling party. This incident sparked widespread concern, as it undermined Nigeria’s democratic process and unity.
The video, which went viral, showed MC Oluomo addressing a gathering and issuing the threatening statement during the 2023 general election.
The Nigeria Police Force promptly denounced MC Oluomo’s actions, but despite this, he has yet to face punishment for his conduct.
MC Oluomo’s history of controversy is well-documented. As the former chairman of the Lagos State branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, he has been accused of using thugs to disrupt elections and intimidate opponents.
His influence and wealth, accumulated during his six-year tenure, have made him a formidable figure in Lagos politics.
Meanwhile, MC Oluomo has publicly described himself as being owned by Tinubu.
In October 2018, MC Oluomo, in an Instagram post, said Tinubu owned him and that whatever he (Tinubu) wanted was what he (MC Oluomo) would support.
He wrote on his Instagram page, “I am an Asiwaju Bola Ahmend Tinubu Jagaban loyalist, I wear the Jagaban jersey, I’ve been a loyalist since 1999, the first mecca i went is through his execellence in the year 2000, moreso, he as done alot for me, he made me who i am today our relationship has been was very cordial and strong in the area that I grew up in.
“So I’m one of his loyalist that have strong believe in him, he own the party and any where his interest belong I Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Mc oloumo belong. I and my people in Oshodi formerly endorse HE Akinwunmi Ambode for 2nd term because his government is still working in the shadow of the party national leader, but now the case is vice-visa i have to follow the interest of Bola Ahmend Tinubu and the party decision.”
