By Ologeh Joseph Chibu
Former Lagos State Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW) has been elected as the new National President of the transport union.
The former Lagos road transport union boss, Mr Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly called MC Oluomo, was elected at the weekend as the new National President of the union.
The election was held at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat located along Osogbo/Ikirun road in Osun State.
He was solely adopted by delegates from all the regional delegates.
Delegates came from South-West states.
The election was held at the Quadrennial Delegate Conference of the Union.
The now former National President of the union Aliyu Issa-Ore and other leaders of NURTW monitored the election which saw Oluomo as the sole, unopposed candidate.
Traditionally, the NURTW has a unique Constitution which states that each region in Nigeria will produce would–be National President of the Union through the regional delegates.
It means the National President must first be accepted by the people in the region he comes from before aspiring to lead as National President.
It means if it is the turn of a particular region to produce the National President, the zone would first have regional delegates’ conference to ratify and produce the would-be President.
In the union’s constitution, the zone mandated to produce the post of the National President would first organise a mini election to elect its candidate and then present same to the national body.
With this, technically, Oluomo is the National President of the NURTW.
Some experts have argued that the NURTW which is viewed with contempt by educated Nigerians nevertheless has a more democratic, inclusive manner of electing it’s National President a model some have recommended for Political Parties in the election of Nigerian President.
Speaking at the event, the NURTW acting President, represented by the Head of Finance, National Headquarters, Abuja, Mrs Adedamola Salam, said, “The South-West zone has fully complied with the constitution in electing Oluomo as the President.”
Others elected at the conference were Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President, South-West while Akeem Adeosun, emerged as Trustee from the Zone.
Speaking after the conference, Akinsanya said he would work for peace and unity of the union.
He pledged commitment to professionalism the union and protect the welfare of members apart from promoting professionalism in the transport sector.
He said “I have forgiven everyone that offends me and I wished those I offend would forgive me as well.
“This is our union and we must be committed to its preservation. We will not allow anyone to destroy our means of livelihood.”
