Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, a staunch ally of President Bola Tinubu, has relinquished his position as the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). This decision, shrouded in political intrigue, comes as MC Oluomo now sets his sights on vying for the National Presidency of the NURTW.
Sources indicated that MC Oluomo’s departure from the Lagos leadership was not a voluntary move but rather a result of pressure from President Bola Tinubu. The decision was reportedly conveyed during a closed-door meeting at Tinubu’s residence, signaling a shift in the political dynamics within the NURTW.
Insiders revealed that President Tinubu, considering MC Oluomo’s perceived controversial image, preferred him to step down from the Lagos chairmanship. The political heavyweight is said to have enlisted influential figures, including Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi and the renowned Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde K1, to communicate the message discreetly.
Despite the potentially lucrative financial prospects in leading the Lagos State chapter, MC Oluomo has been nudged towards the national stage. It is suggested that President Tinubu sees the national presidency as a strategic move, where the financial gains may not be as substantial but the political implications could be significant.
As MC Oluomo takes a step back from the Lagos leadership, Mustapha Adekunle (Sego), the current Treasurer of the union in the state, is set to assume the role of Chairman at the Lagos State secretariat. Simultaneously, the reported ailment of the factional NURTW President, Tajudeen Agbede, has opened the door for MC Oluomo to eye the national secretariat in Abuja.
The NURTW has been embroiled in internal conflicts, with factional disputes and allegations of political interference. In October 2023, factional President Alhaji Tajudeen Baruwa accused the Minister of Labour and Employment, Solomon Lalong, of bias in favor of Agbede’s faction, backed by MC Oluomo.
These recent developments unfold against the backdrop of the Lagos State Government’s dissolution of its Park and Garages Committee, allowing NURTW to manage activities at motor parks and garages.
MC Oluomo’s recent re-election for a second term had already stirred controversy within the Lagos State chapter, contributing to the ongoing turmoil in the influential transport workers’ union.
The political landscape surrounding MC Oluomo’s decision to vie for the national presidency remains intricate, raising questions about the future dynamics of the NURTW.