ANLCA BOT CRISIS GET MESSIER AS MEMBERS BATTLES NATIONAL PRESIDENT

The protracted power tussle between some members of  Board  of Trustees (BOT) of the Association of Nigerian License Customs Agents ( ANLCA) is far from being over.

Whereas many thought the issue has been amicably resolved, but recent releases by both camps on social media proved otherwise.

It is no longer news that the Chief Henry Njoku led ANLCA BOT was asked to step down after nearly ten years in that position. It was gathered that Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha was elected to replaced him. The confusion now is that Chief Njoku has refused to step down, even after an election of the BOT was held  and the votes was 5 against 3 in favour of Mustapha.

It was also gathered that to appeased  Chief Njoku to accept to step down, ANLCA National President Mr Tony Uju Nwanbunike knelt down to beg him. But in  a twist, the National Publicity Secretary of ANLCA and the 6 members BOT issues different statements recently on the matter.

According to a statement from  the 5 BOT members titled

“RE: BOT CHAIRMANSHIP’ it reads

‘Our attention has been drawn to the post by the NPS (Joe Sanni) on the above subject hence we would like to state as follows;

1. We have always maintained that no single individual in or outside ANLCA has the magic key to unlock the door of peace in the Board outside the Board members themselves.

2. We therefore see the post purportedly directed by the National President as either been made in error or a calculated attempt to make us join issues with the National President to the detriment of ANLCA’s image.

3. As a mark of respect to the office of the National President and to demonstrate that we are open to conflict resolutions and peace, we granted the request of Hon Tony Iju to hold a meeting with all the Board members.

4. A meeting was therefore held at the boardroom of Santiago Hotel, Amuwo Odofin where after an exhausting exchanges, the following resolutions were later concluded;

4a. After over nine years of tenureship, Chief Henry Njoku would be regarded as outgoing Chairman within a transition period of three (3) months from the date election was held.

4b. For a smooth transition, Chief Henry Njoku would commence arrangements to hand over the leadership of the Board peacefully to Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha as the incoming Chairman.

4c. The election held on the 13th April 2018 at Golden Tulip Hotel, Amuwo Odofin shall remain valid and be respected by all Board members.

4d. Any other changes/adjustments of the offices as being canvassed would be left to the Board members to decide on after the incoming executives must have assumed office.

5. With these resolutions, all Board members and their supporters are hereby advised to sheathe their swords of conflict and work towards the unity and progress of ANLCA.

6. We furthermore use this medium to advise Mr President to stay focused and resist any urge that could make him not be seen as objective, unbiased and a neutral arbiter in this issue. It is curious that after the NECOM elections, everybody accepted no Victor, no Vanquished but a normal Board change of leadership is being hyped out of proportion. The BOT election has come and gone, it should be accepted and allowed to rest. Enough of this   “masqurade”.

Signed;

1. Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha

2. Chief Dennis Okafor

3. Prince Taye Oyeniyi

4. Mr. Dayo Azeez

5. Chief Ernest Elochukwu

On the other hand, the ANLCA, NPS, Mr Joe Sanni had earlier issued this statement to contradict the BOT position. Sanni statement reads,

“BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIRMANSHIP: STATUS QUO TO BE MAINTAINED FOR NINETY DAYS”

A lot of misinformation is still being peddled and sustained in the public domain, despite the outcome of a meeting, at the instance of the National President of ANLCA- Iju Tony Nwabunike, with the BOT members on Thursday, 10th May 2018 in De Santiago Hotel, Amuwo Odofin. Lagos, after confirming the unsuitability of the National Secretariat for the meeting, because of the ongoing renovation works there.

The decision that came out of that meeting is that the status quo should be maintained for three months, after which period the BOT will meet to either uphold an earlier election, purportedly held on the 13th of April 2018 or conduct another all-inclusive one, for all the positions created by the Board, which was strictly for their administrative convenience only.

Consequent upon that decision, Chief Henry Njoku remains the Chairman of the BOT for 90 days WEF 10th of May 2018 till 9th of August 2018.

This clarification has become necessary because some of our members are deliberately causing disaffection amongst our membership by peddling wrong information about the BOT, thereby intentionally distracting the National Executive Committee (NECOM), ably led by Iju Tony Nwabunike, from finding its rhythm to take-off effectively.

Perpetrators (they are not even BOT members) of these deliberately destabilizing acts, should kindly desist from it and allow peace to continue to reign in great ANLCA! great Professionals, please.

Meanwhile, on behalf of NECOM and the entire members of ANLCA, we say a big congratulations to Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha for successfully hosting a great friend and supporter of ANLCA, Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland – Iba Dr. Gani Adams in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and for your well-deserved award. May this effort/Award bring ANLCA and indeed its members, all the needed recognition and jobs we richly deserve.

Thank you all for your understanding and cooperation.’

Adumaza Joe Sanni

National Publicity Secretary.

As the cold war rages between the ANLCA new Executive and the BOT, our investigation reveals the stay put stance of Henry Njoku has to do with the proposed lobby by ANLCA to secure majority seats at the upcoming CRFFN Council Elections .

It was also gathered that the ANLCA National President Tony NWABUNIKE is favorably dispose to Njoku leading the negotiations at the CRFFN elections, as such is not bothered about the 5 BOT members  decision on the issue.