Even though the topmost hierarchy of the association has denied endorsing any candidate in the coming chapter elections of the association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) in the Western zone, many of the aspirants still harbour the belief that the association’s leaders were being economical with the truth.
Even though the topmost hierarchy of the association has denied endorsing any candidate in the coming chapter elections of the association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) in the Western zone, many of the aspirants still harbour the belief that the association’s leaders were being economical with the truth.
Some contestants who spoke with our correspondents last week at the various chapters in Lagos, pointedly accused the association’s national executive council (NEC) and its Board of Trustees (BoT) of discreetly sponsoring candidates, even as they unanimously agreed that the NEC and the BoT can not as a body endorse but they accused influential members of the two most powerful organs of ‘selling’ candidates to the elders.
To buttress the fears being expressed a frontline member of ANLCA in one of the chapters told our correspondent that some of the contestants vying for key positions in the elections are fond of paying homage to the top echelon of the association with present of all sorts.
The source who craved anonymous told Shipping Position Daily that gift items like goats, rams and money are some of the things that are being given to top members of the association to gain supports.
‘’If the national executives say that do not have any anointed candidate why are they collecting gifts from some of the contestants and why are the rejecting from others’’, another member who claimed to be very close to one of the contestants alleged.
“I think that will give you a better understanding of the whole situation because they are some loyalists who I know have the support of the Board of Trustees and that of the national executives’’.
According to him, the election is based on ‘’ the candidate with the largest chuck of money, he takes it all’’. And since we are talking about politics those that are ready to give money will win the election’’.
Another source who is an executive of the Apapa chapter of the association also condemned the association modus operandi in the area of due collections from chapters, adding that it is unfriendly and unhealthy.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that at a recent meeting with members of the association, the duo of national president; Prince Olayiwola Shittu and chairman, BoT; Chief Henry Njoku pointedly denied allegations of anointing any candidate.
The ANLCA president had assured the gathering that the BoT and the NEC of the association are working together to ensure that the forthcoming election is free and fair.
He had also reiterated that the national executives of the association have no special interest in any of the contestants, assuring that he cannot endorse or support any particular individual in the process that will lead to the election.
He charged members of the association who were present at the event to challenge him whenever the need arises for clarity, pointing out that the constitution of the association is dynamic.
Similarly, in his own contribution, Chairman, BoTof the association, Chief Henry Njoku called on contesting candidates to love one another in the election, stressing that it is not based on tribal sentiments.
Chief Njoku also assured that the BoT does not have any anointed candidate in the elections and called on members to vote wisely.
He promised to hold on to the constitution of the association as a tool to ensure a free and fair election, even as he stressed that there would be no room for favouritism at the polls.
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