Politics
Nigerian broadcasters scheduled national election risks cancellation as five states threaten to pull out
The proposed national elections of the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria(FIBAN) scheduled to hold between 12 and 13 January, 2023 may not see the light of the day as five chapters of the association have pulled out from the exercise.
Penpushing reports that the chapters in a protest letter addressed to Chairman Board of Trustees(BOT) of the association declared that the election should be put on hold until some salient issues surrounding the poll are addressed in the interest of the generality of the body.
The signatories include: Seun Awodele, Alhaji Kola Olootu. Alhaji Gboyega Lawal
iv. Comrade Yemi Sonde, Comrade Olufemi Samuel Omilani,Yeyeluwa Ibiyemi Ajadi, Hon. Asamu Akinrinde,Eniowo Goke Babalola, Comrade Lawal Ramat, Alhaji Abdulrashid Abdulyekin,Comrade Dele Obaseesin, Comrade Olatunji Gbarada,Comrade Julius Adebayo, Dr. Akolade Alabi, Dr. Akinkunmi Alabi, Mrs Dasola Ogunlakin a dComrade Richard Bambo
Penpushing also reports that the complainants, however, forwarded copy of the letter to National President of the association Comrade Desmond Nwachukwu, Alhaji Gbenga Adebayo Oladunni ,all past President of the association , all members of the Board of Trustees and all national leaders of the association
“Having considered some salient issues surrounding our coming national congress and election, we the above-named chapters (Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, and Kogi) have unnanimously resolved that we won’t be participating in the FIBAN national congress and elections slated for Thursday 12th and Friday 13th January 2023′, the protesters wrote.
“Our position is that the election should be put on hold, for now, pending the determination of the following salient issues, which have to do with the progress of our association. We should all be on the same page as to how many chapters are eligible to participate in this election. This will go a long way in ensuring free, fair, peaceful, and credible elections’, the communique reads.
“We demand real-time updates as regards the FIBAN building in Ibadan, which the previous administration headed by Comrade Yemi Sonde handed over to Comrade Desmond Nwachukwu, and which has been abandoned for 6 years and later withheld by Oyo State Government”
“We also demand real-time updates as regards the income and expenditure account of the College of Broadcasting, Abeokuta, which to the best of our knowledge, is FIBAN property. We also need to see proof of documents relating to loans, grants, terms and conditions with the affiliated institutions, and everything that has to do with COBAB.
This will prevent the same scenario that occurred with the Ibadan building to repeat itself on COBAB after handing over”
“Before planning any election, the association should first find a way to reunite all the past presidents and great leaders of our association, who have decided not to have anything to do with FIBAN again, including, readmitting the Lagos State chapter of FIBAN back into the fold. Finally, we request that all rancors occasioned by this coming national elections in all FIBAN chapters be settled first before a peaceful election is held”.
“We are aware that our chapters at Osun, Ogun, Abuja, and some other states have serious crises which we need to resolve before any meaningful election can hold. While thanking you for your leadership prowess and for your doggedness, which has taken our association, FIBAN, to this enviable position, please accept the assurances of our highest regards”, the communique stated
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