Fresh facts have emerged from last week’s meeting between the out-going national President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA); Prince Olayiwola Shittu and his successor; Mr Tony Iju Nwabunike which indicate that Prince Shittu is actually rallying support for his successor.
In a video recording of proceedings at the formal visit of the newly-elected national President, ANLCA to the incumbent which was viewed exclusively by Shipping Position Daily, Prince Shittu condemned acts suggesting that the new executives, especially the new President was not accepted.
In the video, the Prince Shittu was seen telling his members to unconditionally accept the outcome of the March election which brought-in the Nwabunike executives.
He said whoever is still kicking against the new executives had his/her personal problems.
He told those at the meeting which included chapter, zonal and national executives and the incoming national executives that unlike what obtains in nation’s elections, whereby candidates were sponsored by political parties, in ANLCA elections, every contestant and voters are from the same association.
“We (ANLCA) are a one party state, no one sponsored anyone from the outside, and the President elect did not elect his executives, we are the ones who elected them, so if where some people thumb-printed did not yield result, they should wait for another time” , he told members of the association.
He also commended the President-elect for being magnanimous in victory, and for reaching out to all members of the association, especially those who lost the election.
He counseled those who lost the election to wait for the next opportunity, even as he gave examples of members of the association who had lost in previous elections, but who later got elected even at a higher level.
Prince Shittu also told the gathering that he would not seek any elective position in the association again, but offer advice to the new leadership of the association.
Responding, the incoming national President; Mr Nwabunike told the meeting that he would be guided by the fear of God.
He also assured that his administration will not disappoint members of the association. “The Almighty God will be foundation stone of this administration”, he stressed.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that the meeting was not attended by some of the chapter chairmen, especially from the South West who allegedly preferred Nwabunike’s opponent; Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.
Nwabunike emerged president of ANLCA at a keenly-contested election held in Enugu State early last month. He beat his opponent; Emenike Nwokeoji by just three votes.
Shipping Position Daily however gathered that the only chapter chairman in attendance was the Murtala Mohammed International Airport chapter chairman, Alloy Nze Igwe.
After the elections, some chapter chairmen who were not satisfied with the outcome of the election vowed not to cooperate with the new President and his executives.
Our correspondent confirmed that after the meeting and following the body language of the out-going President; Shittu which indicated embracing the incoming administration and embracing peace, many of the affected leaders are now more favourably disposed to peace.
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