Even though elections into its national executive council are still months away, there are strong indications that trouble is brewing in the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), on account of a likely successor to the incumbent President General of the union; Comrade Tony Nted Emmanual.
Investigations by our correspondents revealed that, the elections which come up in March next year has already deeply polarised the union into two – those who support the wish of the incumbent President General and those who are kicking against it.
Shipping Position Daily confirmed that central to the high-level politicking is a candidate from the dockworkers branch, and another from the Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA) branch.
The ambition of the duo has also triggered uproar and conflict among other branches of the union.
Specifically, Shipping Position Daily confirmed that, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju of the Dockworkers branch and incumbent Deputy President General; Comrade Dahiru Talle from the NPA and his counterpart from the Shipping and Courier branch; Comrade Uche Igweonu are the gladiators.
Our correspondents also learnt that, the union is sharply divided over support that is allegedly being given to one of the contestants by the incumbent President General.
However, investigations have also revealed that supporters of candidates from both Shipping and Courier branch and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) branches are not comfortable with the unfolding drama.
The two branches are also rumoured to be contemplating pulling out of the union if the alleged plans of the President General; Comrade Tony Nted Emmanuel materialises.
They specifically pointed accusing fingers at what they called the widely-known fact that the incumbent President of the Dockworkers branch; Comrade Adewale Adeyanju may be the candidate of the incumbent PG.
Even though they refused to be identified publicly for obvious reasons, they nevertheless told our correspondent that there are plans to boycott the elections and pull out of the MWUN, if any member from dockworkers branch contests for the position of President General of the union.
Our sources further revealed that the recent trip to Dubai in the United Arab Emirate by the union’s leadership was to resolve all grey areas relating to who should contest the key position.
It was learnt that the president of shipping and courier branch of the union did not make the trip because of his neutral disposition to the top contenders for the post of PG.
Another insider source noted that traditionally the next President General of the MWUN is not expected to come from the dockworker’s branch, since the incumbent is from that branch.
He said the next PG is expected to emerge from either shipping/courier or seaman branch of the union, but acknowledged that the union is highly populated and largely influenced by both Dockworker and NPA branches.
But speaking with our correspondent last week, President of Dockworkers branch of the union, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju said it was too early to talk about the coming elections, even as he stressed that there is no in-fighting among the four branches of the union.
The dockworkers president revealed that the Dubai trip was basically a retreat that has no political undertone.
He however disclosed that many candidates are keenly interested in the post of the union’s President General, but maintained that it was too early to start talking about an election slated for next year.
On his part, Deputy President General; Dahiru Talle denied any rancour in the union over the coming elections.
Dahiru said the union constitution does not allow talks about issues of politics until July.
He however stated that the NPA branch of the union is watching with keen interest and will soon make its intention known , even as he added that contesting for PG ‘s position is not one-man-wish, but collectively from the four branches that make up the union.
Similarly, when contacted by our correspondent on Friday last week via a telephone,
the shipping and courier branch president; Comrade Uche Igweonu denied any dispute among the four branches.
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