The President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Mr. Emenike Nwokeoji, has launched a verbal attack on those he described as “professional troublemakers” within the association, accusing them of deliberately fueling the ongoing crisis.
Nwokeoji’s outburst comes amidst mounting tensions and allegations of walk-outs at a meeting, factional leadership, and legal battles that are plaguing the association.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, the ANLCA President expressed frustration over the persistent challenges, citing the recent emergency NEC meeting as an example.
Nwokeoji denied claims of a walk-out during the NEC meeting, stating that two journalists who were present could attest to its peaceful conclusion. “I started wondering, I know two of you (journalists) were in that meeting. I don’t know whether you noticed any walk-out.”
He attributed the crisis to natural post-election tensions and the desire for power by some individuals. “You can’t win somebody in an election and expect that whatever you do, the person will clap for you. Even in contemporary politics, you still see people, up to yesterday, some people were asking questions, where is our president? And maybe when the man comes back, they will look for something else. So, it’s natural.”
Expressing dismay over the few members of the association who have resolved to create a crisis, Nwokeoji assured that the elected executives will uphold its integrity to bring about restoration.
“The good thing about ANLCA is that God has a way of resolving our crisis,” he said.
Reacting to the recent uproar regarding the membership of the Association Electoral Committee (ASECO), he stated that the NECOM has decided to make adjustments to the membership of the ASECO, but he refused to disclose the identity of the chairman.
Furthermore, Nwokeoji announced that the NECOM has received approval from the NEC to appoint sole administrators for chapters with factional chairmen for a period not exceeding 90 days, after which elections will be conducted.
Addressing the crisis at the Airport chapter, the ANLCA President blamed the past administration for failing to abide by court verdicts regarding the chapter’s chairmanship.
He emphasized the sacrosanct nature of the association’s constitution and warned against resorting to police intervention to settle internal disputes.
Condemning the actions of the former airport chapter chairman, Adewusi Gbangbala, for refusing to vacate the chapter chairmanship seat despite a court order recognizing Temitope Akindele as the authentic chairman, Nwokeoji asserted that Akindele remains the authentic chairman known to the NECOM, even as he threatened disciplinary action against Adewusi for insubordination to the office of the president.
