‘We’re Awaiting BoT’s Position On Apapa Chapter Election’ – Nwokeoji

…As ASECO Declares Chukwumalu’s  Team Winner

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

Ahead of the inauguration of chapters new leadership of  the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the group’s National President of the Mr. Emenike Nwokeoji says the Board of Trustees (BoT) is expected to make its position regarding the Apapa Chapter election impasse, in which Emeka Chukwumalu led team is believed to have emerged winner with very wide margin.

This is even more so, given the report of the Association Electoral Committee (ASECO), which without equivocation declared Chukwumalu winner of the chairmanship position, with a total of 78 votes; beating his opponent, Femi Olawoore who reportedly polled 35 votes.

Responding to our reporter’s question on what the National Executive Committee (NECOM) led by him was doing to resolve the impasse especially in the light of rumour that Apapa chapter inauguration has been stepped down, Nwokeoji said it is necessary to resolve the issue before Apapa chapter new executive is inaugurated; assuring that it would be done without unnecessary waste of time.

Reacting to the ASECO report and what the the position of NECOM is, Nwokejoi said, “We are looking into it. ASECO has written their reports they were supervised by the BoT. So let the BoT tell us its position, then we will be guided.”

On the inauguration slated for today, he said, “Did the notice include Apapa chapter inauguration? The inauguration is nationwide. The outcome of today’s (Wednesday, March 5, 2025) meeting will give us a direction. If it is not done tomorrow, it will be done the day after tomorrow, what is important is that it will not drag.

A comprehensive report of the activities of the recent election issued by the ASECO Chairman, Elochukwu Obiora, voting and sorting of votes were already completed before Femi Olawoore agent fomented trouble that eventually disrupted the conclusion of the process of Apapa chapter.

The ASECO report sighted by our reporter reads: “Apapa chapter voting and sortings was also completed and not until when the counting were about to start that one Musa Ogunjobi an agent to the chairmanship candidate in the chapter Femi Olawoore took it upon himself to distrupt the process and caused commotion and violence, by physically attacking the returning officer Mr Elochukwu Obiora on the pretext that the total votes cast was above the total numbers of the accredited voters without allowing for the countings of the ballot papers to ascertain his claims.

“A total number of one hundred and eight (108) voters were accredited at the point during accreditation for Apapa chapter. However, certain individuals on the VIP list who are in the National President’s entourage gained access to the hall without being subjected to go through the rigors of standing for accreditation.

“This waiver was given based on their ages and status. These individuals are: 1. Shittu Olayiwola of SKELAS group former National President. 2. Olumide Fakanlu of OBOKUN current National Secretary. 3. Femi Anifowoshe of FEMSON Coordinator Western Zone. 4. Awonuga Tunde of HEROPLUS Board member. 5. Oloide Busari of ROKYBA, Treasurer CONTESTANT.

“If you add 5 to 108 {108+5 =113), however, the commission out of miscalculation summed up the 12 voided votes together and added it to 113.

“Therefore, 113+12 125, which was the announced total vote cast. The validity of that number was not cross check, and that was the low point of the Commission, which may be attributed to fatigue and human weakness.”

Obiora in his report also provided the vote counts and how the various contestants performed.

“However, it’s imperative to note that the results of the elections were well noted after every sortings, and below is the stands for APAPA CHAPTER before the commotion:

Chairmanship

1. Chukwuemeka Chukwumalu 78 Votes 2. Femi Olawoore. 35 Votes Total 113, no void votes

Vice Chairmanship

1. Kayode Jejeloye. 73 Votes 2. Achunihu Nicholas. 36 Votes Total 109 (4 void votes)

Secretary-General

1. Rasak Saheed 74 Votes 2. Abdul Rahman. 35 Votes Total 110(3 void votes) Treasurer 1. Anakebe Ogechukwu. 69 Votes 2. Oloide Busari. 39 Votes Total 108 (5 void votes). Therefore; Total sum votes cast (78+35=113 no void) (73+36=109=4 voids) (74+35=109=3 voids) (69+39= 108=5 voids).”

The report further aver: “It’s obvious that there’s a calculated plot to destabilize the whole process by some group contesting in the Apapa chapter elections and their co-travellers if the outcome didn’t go their way.

“They prevailed on the members of the Commission to announce the total number of the accredited voters after sorting without counting. This conclusion was arrived at as preliminary investigation on the identity of the person of Musa Ogunjobi confirmed that he is not a Director of any of the accredited companies hence had no business being in the election venue/HALL for whatsoever reason but ostensibly a hired hoodlum with other members of his gang who gained access into the hall through the interference of Olumide Fakanlu who on several occasions gave access to non accredited individuals on the basis of self recognition.

“These hoodlums threatened members of ASECO boasting that they were in possession of various degrees of weapons to harm and maim anybody who attempts to stand on their way.

“The security arrangements for the elections were sabotaged, which made the environment unsafe and hostile with multiple intruders.

“Just like in every other zone, the elections in the western zone were also successful, not minding the recorded attempts to result in violence and distrupt the elections.

“The outcome of the entire process is well on record, where winners and losers are evidently clear to everyone. Attached are the copies of elections results and declared winners for the five chapters where elections were held [5).”

When contacted, the National Secretary, Olumide Fakunle however denied the allegation that he provided cover for anyone to cause problems, noting that “people have a right to express themselves during elections, if they think that the process is not straight enough. Others people who think that the process is okay also have the right to air their views.

“It is improper and incorrect to say that l encouraged any form of disruption, l won’t accept that allegation and l think that it was done in bad faith”, he said.