Anxiety is heightening among members of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) over the delay in the release of ‘delegates’ voters’ names for the National Executive Committee Members (NECOM) election, which comes up in less than 48 hours from today (Monday).
The Association Electoral Committee (ASECO) has yet to make the list of eligible voters’ public, with less than 48 hours to election causing uncertainty and frustration among ANLCA members
ASECO Chairman, Chief Aloysius Nze Igwe, revealed in a recent conversation with our correspondent that the committee has successfully compiled a list of 93 members and has initiated the verification process to ascertain the eligibility of each voter.
According to the revised timetable for the elections, it is scheduled to hold between the 6th and 7th of September.
Findings by Shipping Position Daily have revealed that members are eagerly awaiting the release of the voters list to make informed decisions.
As the clock ticks and the countdown to the make or mar election begins, the tension within the association continues to rise, underscoring the importance of transparency and timely communication in the electoral process.
Reacting to the delayed release of the 93 voters’ list, Mr Segun Alabi a contestant in the election expressed his perspective on the situation.
He explained that as a contestant, it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to interfere in the affairs of ASECO, acknowledging the challenges the committee is facing.
Alabi emphasized the imperative of concluding the election, as it has already consumed a significant amount of time without much progress. He appealed to ASECO to complete the election process promptly.
“I am not a member of ASECO. I seized to be a member of ASECO about two years ago, I am now a contestant, and as a contestant, it’s not going to be right of me to dabble into the affairs of ASECO. I appreciate the challenges they are facing and they are in charge of modalities timing and organizing the election, so I cannot speak for them. However, for me as a contestant, I want this election to be done immediately because we have spent too much of time going back and forth and we are not achieving much, my appeal to them is that they should speed up their work and ensure we are done away with this election”, he said
Speaking also, one contestant who pleaded anonymity expressed fear and concern over the delay in the release of the voters’ list. The contestant emphasized the importance of concluding the elections. He acknowledged that the delay might impact the integrity of the election and requested that ASECO expedite work to ensure a timely conclusion of the process.
Confirming rising apprehension among members of the association, he said, “I am deeply concerned about the delay in releasing the voters’ list. It’s causing anxiety among ANLCA members, and there’s a fear that this delay could compromise the integrity of the upcoming election. I urge ASECO to expedite their work and ensure a swift conclusion to this electoral process to maintain transparency and fairness” he stated.
Speaking also, Mr Babatunde Mukaila; the sole administrator of the association and a former ASECO chairman, emphasized the autonomy of ASECO. He pointed out that ASECO has its constitutional rights and advised those with reservations about ASECO’s actions to seek further clarifications directly from ASECO.
“I represent NECOM on behalf of the board and NECOM do not get themselves involved in ASECO protocol, it’s a constitutional right they do have, if you have any reservation about what ASECO said,p kindly go back to ASECO for further clarification” he said.
