Uncertainty over ANLCA election
- Shittu’s aide accuses BoT of devious scheme to take over association
There are concerns over the much anticipated National Executive Committee (NECOM) election of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) as the Association Electoral Commission (ASECO) has been instructed to halt preparations for the election.
ASECO had on January 15 2014 announced the authorization of campaign and electioneering process to all elective offices of NECOM in line with the provisions of Section 22 (2b) of the ANLCA Constitution which states that “in case of the National Executive Committee, the Chairman of ASECO shall by a publication made three months before the expiration of the national officers tenure lift ban for campaign into the various offices.”
Aside this preparation for the elections, ASECO had also, earlier this month, announced the display of the NECOM voters’ list. SHIPS & PORTS DAILY however gathered that this was to the disapproval of the new Board of Trustees (BoT) which had admonished the ASECO Chairman, Alhaji Babtunde Abdulazeez, for commencing preparations for the NECOM election without first consulting with its members.
Abdulazeez had confirmed to SHIPS & PORTS DAILY that he was ordered by the BoT to suspend all preparations for the elections until further notice.
This development has however met the disapproval of some members of the association who are of the opinion that the BoT lacks the constitutional right to halt preparations for the elections.
“It is disheartening to note that official instruction has been passed of late to the Chairman of ASECO to discontinue all preparations towards the NECOM election. This definitely is unconstitutional as such provision halting processes towards an election is not provided for,” Joe Sanni, Senior Special Assistant (Media) to ANLCA National President, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, said.
“The jingles that go on the airwaves, the regular text message reminders and the emails were ordered discontinued. This definitely is an uncalled for attempt by some individuals to scuttle the structured, transparent and peaceful march towards achieving a seamless transition from the current to the next administration,” Sanni further stated.
He accused the new elected BoT of plotting to take over the executive functions of the association with the motive of taking advantage of the ANLCA Constitution Section 13 (5)(c) which states that the BoT can “administer the association for one month within which election will be concluded and shall continue for a maximum of 6 months if it was impossible to conduct or conclude election or under extreme necessity.”
“There has been nothing since the ban on campaign to the offices of NECOM was lifted that portends under extreme necessity or impossible to conduct or conclude elections. Everything going on right now smack of mischief. Some unrelenting and aggrieved individuals who felt short changed by the rigid stance of NECOM against their penchant to bend established rules, are the ones scheming so hard, over the years, to ensure that a flux system is caused such that the BoT can take over and begin to break down the foundation and structures established over the years, since the coming on board of this NECOM,” Sanni stated.
When contacted by SHIPS & PORTS DAILY the ANLCA National President said Sanni’s comment does not have his backing.
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