The much talked about triennial delegate conference to usher-in new executives of the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers’ and Water Transport Senior Staff Association is expected to hold today in Abuja.
The post for the office of the president is keenly contested between the incumbent, Engineer Matthew Alalade from shipping zone and Engineer Reginald Onyenobi who is also from the same zone.
Speaking with Shipping Position Daily, the two candidates expressed different views on how to move the association forward if voted into office as president of the union, even as the incumbent; Engineer Matthew Alalade expressed optimism of winning in the poll.
Alalade said members of the union were excited when he declared his intention to re – contest for the position.
He said “I don’t expect everybody to vote for me on that day but the fact remains that I have been able to work on the psyche of members and I believe I will win the election”
“The constitution states that I can re-contest for a second term and that is what am about to do”
Alalade maintained that the other aspirant vying for the same post is never a threat to him saying that he will come out a victor at the end of the election.
“I believe 90% of the people are behind me in this election and before now I believe in one or two members that are to vote for me but for now it is obvious that I have most of the votes by my side”
On his part, Engineer Reginald Onyenobi said that the election is not a do or die affair but that he has done his home work to win the election.
According to him, members of the union gave him the mandate to win the election and move the association forward.
Onyenobi maintained that the association is faced with so many challenges which the incumbent have not been able to address in the last four years.
He said that the current leadership of the union lack visionary and purposeful leadership of the union which necessitated him contesting for the post of the president.
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