As the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents’ (ANLCA) Board of Trustees (BoT) election draws near, the political atmosphere within the association is heating up.
Our correspondent gathered with the recent lifting of the electioneering campaign by the Association Electoral Committee (ASECO), leaders and members are already rallying support and strategizing to secure positions on the board. This is even as political maneuvering, with various caucus meetings have started taking place
Recall that the crisis within ANLCA, particularly concerning the BoT, has been ongoing for years. The Customs Consultative Council (CCC) had previously brokered a temporary resolution by merging factions to form a unified BoT. However, this arrangement has been described by industry observers as a “marriage of inconvenience.”
Following the commencement of sale of forms, a source within the association disclosed that factions are actively holding meetings to ensure their preferred candidates secure board positions.
The source mentioned that some members of the current National Executive Committee (NECOM) are pushing for former National Secretary Babatunde Mukaila to be part of the new board, though other names were not disclosed.
Additionally, findings by our correspondent revealed that there is speculation that the faction loyal to former acting President Dr. Kayode Farinto is also seeking representation on the board following his narrow defeat to the current ANLCA President; Mr. Emenike Nwokeoji.
These speculations, our correspondent noted have sparked a new cold war in the association.
Reacting to the speculations, former acting President Kayode Farinto has denied any interest in a BoT seat, citing his disillusionment with the association’s leadership.
Farinto stated that he has moved on from the ANLCA elections and is now focusing on national issues. He expressed frustration with the lack of recognition from the current leadership and indicated that he would not be actively participating in the association’s activities.
“I am not thinking about ANLCA election, I am thinking about Nigeria national elections. I don’t know, my shadow at times can be haunting some people because I will be in this office and I will be hearing a lot of things. When we did the election and I saw what happened on that day, I told myself I have done enough and I realized that the establishment doesn’t want me. I was the first to congratulate Emenike and I directed my group to work with him. I had a meeting with my group and I told them, Emenike is the president and that they should work with him. I have been hearing rumors all the time, but I have never been to court, I have never asked anyone to disobey the constituted authority so, it seems my shadow is haunting some people.”
When asked why he hasn’t been visible in the association’s Secretariat and activities after the election, Farinto said, “I won’t be visiting or be visible in the Secretariat, because I follow trends. I read ex-president Goodluck Jonathan’s book because he lost an election like me and he was asked if he gives advice to his successor and he said he doesn’t give unsolicited advice.
According to him, he is done with contesting as a candidate in the association, “ANLCA members are urging me to contest as member BoT of ANLCA and I told them I am now a busy person because I can be called to Abuja at any time. I don’t have that time anymore and I advise them to search for anyone who will have my blessings. Also, I will be undoing myself if I assess the current leadership; they will say because I lost an election. I have read a lot of books and I am very careful, deliberately deciding to be silent. I decided to speak when I see how the industry was going and the only people, I think can access the leadership are the members of the association. Yes, I am a member, but my assessment is already compromised because of the events of the past.”
Reacting also to the speculations, Babatunde Mukaila, the former National Secretary, when asked to confirm if he is vying for a BoT seat, Mukaila responded, “I am a member of the association, and if it is necessary, why not? I think I am qualified to be a BoT member. When we get to that bridge, we will cross it, if it is necessary.”
Mukaila expressed his desire for a BoT that adheres to its defined roles as per the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and the association’s guidelines. He called for a board that focuses on the association’s betterment without interfering in day-to-day operations. Mukaila acknowledged his qualification for a BoT position but remained non-committal about his candidacy.
“I would like to see a BoT that is restricted to its role, as enshrined in CAMA and by extension the few roles extended to them by our association. I would like to see a BoT that is dutiful to its role. I would like to see a BoT that will not get involved in the day-to-day running of the association; I want a BoT that will advocate for the betterment of the association.”
Reacting also to the ongoing developments, one of the gladiator’s in tge current BoT, Prince Ozo Chukwura, expressed hope for those vying for BoT seats while remaining non-committal about his own intentions.
“You know, the ANLCA BoT has not been properly fixed over the years, and due to the reconciliation movement then, we decided to have a joint BoT. So, for those who are vying for a seat in the BoT, I wish them good luck.”
Eniola Igbaruola, another BoT member, highlighted the importance of having a strong board to address the maritime industry’s challenges, which he described as being second only to the oil and gas industry in terms of national significance.
Igbaruola refrained from commenting on his candidacy, but stressed the need for a BoT that can tackle unfriendly policies. “I would not like to comment much; you know I am involved whether or not I am contesting, let’s leave that out. The BoT I would love to see would be one that can fight for the industry. The maritime industry, I would say, accounts for over 50% of Nigeria’s problem after the oil and gas industry; the maritime industry comes next because it is a mafia industry. A strong BoT in place that will fight against some unfriendly policies will be great to have.”
Meanwhile in a chat with our correspondent, Oluwatope Fatimehin, the Secretary of ASECO, confirmed that the sale of interest forms is ongoing and will close on the 15th of July. He declined to disclose the number or names of individuals who have shown interest in contesting for the BoT positions, merely stating that a significant number have expressed interest.
