MWUN breaks 25-year barrier of electoral violence.

Segun Oladipupo     |    

For the first time  in 25 years of its establishment, the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has summoned courage to hold its national delegate conference in Lagos.

The election slated tentatively for March 26, 2021 has been confirmed to hold in a yet to be determined venue in Lagos.

Recall that due to thuggery and hooliganism among members at every election, the union had always held its election outside the shores of Lagos state.

For instance, in the last general election, supporters of a certain presidential candidate allegedly invaded the house of another candidate with weapons.

According to a source who spoke under the condition of anonymity, delegates from opposition camps at the election venue in Calabar in 2017 did not greet each other let alone talking to one another.

Our correspondent learnt that at previously held elections,, mostthe contestants for both the national and branch offices practically moved around with security agents to avoid being lynched by the members of the opposition camp.

But speaking to nigeriamaritime360 on the development, Erazua Oniha, Deputy Secretary General, Training, Research, Education and Media said the trend had changed owing to the efforts of the present leadership led by the President General, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, saying the election could now hold in Lagos because peace had returned.

Oniha said that for the first time in the history of the union elections,the four branches recently came together to openly declare their supports for the President General because of his ability to bring everybody together.

According to him, the election had never been held in Lagos because of lack of guarantee that there won’t be hijacking of the election by hoodlums.

He stated that this time around, there is guarantee of peace and unity among all the members, adding that Adeyanju had done enough to earn the support because of his unprecedented feats in workers’ welfare.

His words, “Never has the delegate elections of this association been held in Lagos to my knowledge

“Obviously from all the current feelers where all the four branches have come together and in unison and strong voice passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of Comrade Adeyanju Adewale while further unanimously endorsing him for a second term as PG MWUN.

“This situation is unprecedented in the history of conducting MWUN elections as they were often marred with tension and intense lobbying

“I think the current peace enjoyed during this transition period speaks a lot about the capacity of the Adeyanju-led MWUN to acquiesce and integrate to a peace-loving movement which roars with one accord exemplifying the mantra that injury to one is injury to all.

“MWUN has been unified into one where all that were aggrieved have been brought in and their grievances addressed appropriately. No rancour, no spoilage and no industrial unrest.

“MWUN is focused on members well being, and defence of their rights and well being. MWUN as a social partner will walk the path of peace and always seek non aggressive means to resolve conflicts where they arise.

“MWUN is a strong vibrant movement,  internationally and locally recognized with a keen desire to build proper standards and principles in conformity to global best practice,” he said.