Nwabunike hosts solidarity groups
Nwabunike hosts solidarity groups
As Uzor blames ‘election losers’ for crisis
By Funmi Aluko
The embattled National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Tony Iju Nwabunike yesterday savoured some air of breather as two different groups paid him solidarity visit, assuring him of their unflinching support to carry out his mandate while mending fences with aggrieved members and political blocs.
A statement made available by ANLCA Secretariat said the groups, Concerned License Owners of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Chapter and Oganiru-Igbo, a pan Igbo group advised all aggrieved persons to sheathe their swords, even the groups have reportedly demanded for immediate chapter elections.
According to the release, the groups in separate press statements not only demanded “that those instigating the crisis in the association should sheath their swords”, they pledged their loyalty to the Nwabunike led National Executive Council (NECOM), while they also vowed to continue to support and defend the president.
The statement reads: “The Concerned License Owners numbering over 35 members stated in their release they are unconditionally loyal to the President and the NECOM.”
“Demanded election into the executive positions in the association’s chapters as the tenure of the interim administrations expires.
“The Murtala Mohammed International Airport Chapter also demanded among other things that NECOM should appoint representatives for the chapters as an intermediary between the national headquarters and the chapters to avert disruptions in administration.”
On its, the Oganiru- Igbo led by Chief Ifeanyi Valentine Lekwauwa, together with its Secretary, Roy Ijebuonwu vowed to stand behind Nwabunike and his team in any circumstances “irrespective what detractors and litigants do.”
The group eulogized Nwabunike for his leadership style which according to them, has brought progress, innovation and forthrightness to ANLCA.
Meanwhile, Prince Ozo Chukwura and Oyeakachi Odinak, alias Alhaji Sule as part of solidarity in support of the Nwabunike led national leadership of ANLCA, have accused detractors and those that the lost election as formenting trouble and disunity in the association.
Chukwura who is also the Auditor General of ANLCA, according to a statement by ANLCA secretariat admitted crisis in the association which he noted is driven by self centredness.
“Without missing words, we have this lingering crisis in NECOM since they came into power, because of some selfish interests amongst some people. But we thank God the issues have been put to rest and many of them have come to terms with the reality on ground”, he said. Adding:
"The NECOM is back on course to carry on the mandate of the people given to them, work on those mandates and achieve goals. Very many people from MMIA (Murtala Mohammed International Airport Chapter) came today. The Igbo section came today to pay a solidarity visit to the President of ANLCA and the NECOM in general, while we have come to welcome them and the need to join their brothers to pass a Vote of Confidence on the NECOM."
“When the crisis started, definitely you must be either in this side or the other side. I am on the side of the President. But you know on the other side our brothers are, they are equally our members and brothers. So anytime there is quarrel in a family everybody should eschew some cautions in taking some decisions. I have personally gone round. I have met Taiwo Mustapha twice, have met Taiye Oyeniyi, have met Ofobike, have met Segun Odutan, trying to talk to them to see a way to reach a truce and I won't tell you lie , many of them agreed on what we can do to achieve peace.
"But , you know, you can take a decision now, but before the next hours a friend, your wife etc. can advice otherwise. This is what we are seeing playing out, and when the President started to forgive everybody that have offended him; some were saying they never recognized him as President and so on and so forth, because they lost out in the elections. I was one of the first person that stood my ground that they should be forgiven. He cannot be a factional President, he has to be the President of everybody.”
Moving forward and expectations from the great ANLCA, Ozo said: "If the going is tough, the tough keeps going. If you are trying to carry somebody if there is a war, the person at least will manage to hook your neck; so that you can run with him. But when the person starts foot dragging, pulling you back, the tendency and the least you can do is to allow him to stay where he is.
“The issue now is that if you want the President of ANLCA, Hon. Tony Nwabunike Iju to run this association now that God has bestowed the leadership on his him, we are here with you. But if your idea is to run him down, to delay his government, to whittle down whatsoever he is doing, then you have got an enemy in me. And once you are a friend to my enemy, you are not my friend. Even a better enemy to my enemy is my friend. So, I cannot accept anybody that is an enemy to Tony Nwabunike and his government. There is no ambiguity, if you are his friend, you are my friend, if you are his enemy, you are my enemy."
Also speaking, Odinaka said, "The airport members and stakeholders of ANLCA came to show their solidarity to the President, followed by the Igbos. They came to show the President that they are all with him despite all the odds in ANLCA. Despite the fight and antagonism from every areas of ANLCA.
"So we are happy that they are here and by the grace of God, the President will finish his first tenure and go for the second term. Nothing and nobody will stop him," he said.
He continues: "The President has made a lot of peaceful moves. At least some people were on suspension before now, he pardoned them. He had series of meetings with them, even when showing them peace; they were showing the other side of them. Court cases everywhere. Ok, what are their reasons for the court cases? They won't come out openly. What are you going to court for? Why can't you come and let's sit down as ANLCA members to dialogue, if there is any area you don't like, if there is any area you are aggrieved, you open it up.
"This man was elected in Enugu, all of you were there, the former President handed over to him. The board had their own election, which is not our business, is between them. So the board shouldn't bring whatsoever concerns them to the NECOM. And their tenure has expired. So, we don't have anything like board for now."
On the way forward, he said, "If you were in this meeting, the President still preach peace, he is still a man of peace. He is still reaching out to them, calling and pleading with them. So what do they want the man to do? Do they want his head and his blood? We are saying enough is enough. So whatever they want, where ever they want to go, power belongs to God and not human beings," he enthused.
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