ANLCA splits as new factional President emerges

By ZION Olalekan

The lingering leadership dispute in the Board of Trustees of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has finally taken a toll on the national executives as the association has now been divided into two factions.

A new faction of the association comprising of all chapters under the Western Zone declared former Vice President of the association, Emenike Nwokeoji as the National President.

In a press statement signed by the Zonal Coordinator West of ANLCA, Sir John Oforbike and the Secretary, Bayo Oyekagun, the group resolved that henceforth, they would no longer participate in any activity in ANLCA called by Tony Nwabunike.

The release was co- signed by all the chapters in the western zone namely; Apapa port, Tin Can Island, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Seme border, Idiroko, , Kirikiri Lighter Terminal and PTML chapter.

The group blamed their pulling out on the inability of Mr. Tony Iju to resolve the crisis that has engulfed the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the association.

Emenike contested elections against Nwabunike in March 2018 at Enugu State and lost by 3 votes.

It would be recalled that after the elections that brought Nwabunike into power in March 2018, the ANLCA BOT has been thrown into a leadership crisis with two members, Henry Njokwu and Taiwo Mustapha laying claim to the position.

The nine chapters in the Western Zone have however declared support for the Taiwo Mustapha led faction of ANLCA. Mustapha repeatedly defeated Henry Njokwu by three votes to clinch the position of chairmanship of the board at an election held in April 2018.

In a chat with journalist in Lagos last week, ANLCA National President, Tony Iju Nwabunike declared support for the Henry Njokwu led faction of the ANLCA.

Subsequently, the new ANLCA faction stated that “In view of the recent media declaration by Mr Tony Iju Nwabunike
on the Board of Trustees issue, we hereby resolve and declare
that we shall no longer recognize him as the President of ANLCA until the final determination of the case filed against him challenging his purported victory in the last NECOM election”

“Mr Tony Iju Nwabunike refusal to recognize the outcome of the election that produced Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha is tantamount to standing truth on its head”

“It is on record that Tony Iju Nwabunike became president after defeating Emenike Nwokeoji with only 3 votes which resulted in the so called manipulated victory. In the same vein, Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha defeated Henry Njoku with 3 votes in the Board of Trustees election”

“We hereby enjoin all members of the Western Zone to refrain from participating in any ANLCA activities called by Tony Iju Nwabunike-led NECOM”

“We shall resist any attempt to intimidate, harass, or coerce any member in the Western Zone of ANLCA in furtherance of this directive”

“Irrespective of our cultural and religious backgrounds, we remain committed to one indivisible united family with our brothers and sisters in the Eastern Zone” the statement reads.