Musiliu ‘MC Oluomo’ Akinsanya took office as National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, just days after his presidency was declared null and void by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
This is the first time MC Oluomo has openly proclaimed his intention to take office since the appeal court reaffirmed Ibikunle Baruwa’s status as the legal NURTW president.
MC Oluomo, who was elected unopposed at the union’s zonal secretariat in Osogbo, had his victory overturned by a three-member appellate court.
The panel, which included Justices Hamma Akawu Barka, Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba, and Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi, confirmed the National Industrial Court’s earlier verdict on March 11, which recognised Baruwa as the rightful president.
The court also ordered N100,000 in costs against MC Oluomo in favour of the respondent.
Following the verdict, human rights lawyer Femi Falana urged the federal government to immediately reinstate Mr. Baruwa.
Falana encouraged the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to uphold Baruwa’s leadership.
Despite these calls, as of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government has yet to release any statement officially recognising Baruwa as the NURTW president.
Undaunted by the legal setback, MC Oluomo took to Instagram to announce his return, expressing his readiness to lead the union with renewed energy.
“It’s time for no distraction. Refocused, recharged, ready to rock! I’m back to work, primed to tackle all challenges head-on, crush my goals with precision and passion, and make today count with purpose and productivity,” he wrote.
He added, “Opportunities, obstacles, successes, I’m ready! Today’s mindset: focused, driven, and unstoppable. Watch me soar, MC Oluomo.”
During his acceptance speech earlier this year as President-elect, he had pledged to promote peace and unity within the union.
His son, Idowu Akinsanya, popularly known as King West, celebrated his father’s perceived victory on Instagram.
Posting a photo of MC Oluomo together with President Bola Tinubu, King West captioned the post: “Nah, the country we dey control now, no be only Lagos again.”
This happy message elicited mixed reactions, with some detractors citing the continuing leadership conflict.
Meanwhile, Ibikunle Baruwa, who has been accepted as the legal NURTW president by both the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal, is yet to resume office.
His social media sites have not provided any updates regarding the verdict or his return to leadership.
Baruwa, who was initially elected president in 2019 and re-elected in August 2023, has kept a quiet profile since the appellate court’s judgement.
