Days after the Court of Appeal in Abuja nullified his election as president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Musiliu ‘MC Oluomo’ Akinsanya has taken office as the union’s National President. His assumption of office on Tuesday follows an election at the union’s zonal secretariat in Osogbo, where he emerged unopposed.
The appellate court had recently reaffirmed Ibikunle Baruwa as the legitimate president of the NURTW. In its ruling, a three-member panel of justices upheld the National Industrial Court’s March 11 judgment that recognised Baruwa’s presidency and awarded N100,000 in costs against MC Oluomo. The decision prompted calls from human rights lawyer Femi Falana for the federal government to reinstate Baruwa immediately.
Falana further urged Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi and Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to ensure compliance with the court’s ruling. Despite these developments, MC Oluomo’s public announcement of assuming office has stirred further controversy within the union.