The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the re-election of Tajudeen Baruwa as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), thereby invalidating the election of Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, as reported by SaharaReporters.
Court documents indicate that the appellate court’s decision reaffirms the National Industrial Court’s March 11, 2024, ruling that recognized Baruwa’s leadership as legitimate.
MC Oluomo, a well-known loyalist of President Bola Tinubu, was reported to have been elected NURTW president unopposed during a delegates’ conference held in Osogbo, Osun State.
However, the appellate court’s judgment delivered by Justices Hamma Akawu Barka, Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba, and Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi on November 8 rejected the validity of the process that led to MC Oluomo’s emergence, affirming that Baruwa’s re-election stands.
In the case, identified as Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/293/2024, the trio of judges dismissed an appeal by Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin and others, ruling it without merit and awarding N100,000 in costs against the appellants.
The judges emphasized their support for the earlier decision of the National Industrial Court, which had also nullified the formation of a caretaker committee led by Tajudeen Agbede, labeling it unconstitutional.
The court reaffirmed the legality of the NURTW delegates’ conference held in May 2023, where Baruwa was re-elected for a second term.
It declared null and void a separate conference conducted in October 2023, which saw Isa Ore and his National Administrative Council assume leadership, asserting that there was no substantial crisis to justify a caretaker committee’s establishment.
This judgment directly affects MC Oluomo’s presidency, declaring it null and void, as the court underscored that no lawful basis existed for his election. Despite his well-known ties to President Tinubu, his election as NURTW president has been invalidated based on legal precedents and court rulings.
MC Oluomo’s rise to prominence has not been without controversy. He has faced criticism over his political affiliations and public threats made during the 2023 governorship election in Lagos State, where he warned the Igbo community against voting against the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Despite widespread backlash and a public statement from the Nigerian Police Force denouncing his threats, no formal punishment has been meted out to him.
His influence within Lagos politics remains strong, bolstered by his longstanding loyalty to Tinubu, whom he credits for much of his career success. This loyalty, publicly professed on several occasions, has solidified his political stature but also drawn scrutiny due to his involvement in union and electoral disputes.
The recent court decision serves as a significant legal affirmation of Baruwa’s leadership while spotlighting MC Oluomo’s controversial ascension to power within the NURTW.
