Story by Dili Utomi.
The ethnic brickbacks occasioned by the 2023 general elections seen to have been carried on to another level as it was recently reported that an Oba in Lagos directed some members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANCLA) not to vote for anyone other than those of the Yoruba ethnic stock in the upcoming elections into various positions in the South West region.
An online news media a few days ago reported that in a retaliatory move, the president-general of the Association of Igbo Maritime Professionals in Nigeria (ASIMPIN) has asked members to vote only Igbo candidates in the elections, but a press release from Mcanthony Onuoha, Head of Special Duties, ASIMPIN Headquarters categorically refutes the publication. The release is published verbatim below.
“The attention of the leadership of Association of Igbo Maritime Practitioners in Nigeria -ASIMPIN has been drawn to a malicious and unauthorised report attributed to the leadership of the foremost umbrella body of Ndigbo in the Maritime/Aviation sectors.
A statement credited to the National Secretary of ASIMPIN, Prince Okey Egbuchulam, and published by an online media outfit (Daily Trend), claimed that the President General of ASIMPIN, HRM Eze Amb. Damian Emeka Obianigwe KSM, JP, has directed him( Prince Egbuchulam) to appeal to Maritime/Aviation Practitioners of Igbo extraction who have registered licences to ensure that they cast their votes for aspirants of Igbo descent.
The purported directive, which the report said, was in retaliation to the instruction passed by the Oba of Ijora that “the Igbos should not be allowed to occupy Chairmanship positions in the forth coming ANLCA Chapter elections in Western Zone, no matter how hard they have worked and how much they have spent”.
The leadership of ASIMPIN strongly debunks the report and disclaims the source as the directive did not emanate from the office of the PG. ASIMPIN hereby dissociate itself from the source, it is mischievous, misleading, and was sponsored by detractors and enemies who have resolved to blackmail the revered Royal Father and esteemed leader of Association of Igbo Maritime Practitioners in Nigeria -ASIMPIN. It is unfortunate that, Prince Egbuchulam played into the hands of these mischief makers, without recourse to prompt consultation.
However, It is instructive to note that the President General of ASIMPIN is a man of celebrated maturity, and a very strict adherent to the principle of “LIVE AND LET LIVE”. As a leader who has unstrained understanding of leadership, he knows that to be free to choose and not be chosen for, is an inalienable ingredient in what makes human beings human. And that the beauty of governance is allowing a people to make their choices of who governs them.
ASIMPIN hereby denounce, dissociate, disclaim and roundly condemn the source of this misleading and a deliberately calculated report aimed to cause disaffection between the Igbos and the Yoruba, thus, promoting silent ethic differences in the sector.
As such, the ASIMPIN wishes to advise those whose stock in trade is to pass wrong information, and those who are desperately trying to blackmail the President General of ASIMPIN to have a rethink about their sinister plans, because His Royal Majesty, Eze Amb. Damian Emeka Obianigwe KSM, JP., does not subscribe to pettiness, and can never condescend so low to join issues with unscrupulous elements who are not comfortable with his unique leadership qualities.
On a note of clarity, the ASIMPIN hereby urge the Maritime community and the general public to jettison the malicious, misleading and unauthorised report intended to cause disaffection. For emphasis, the ANLCA as a foremost freight forwarding association is a national association that thrives on the principles of national inclusiveness.
Thank you for your attention”. The statement concluded.
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