Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The leadership crisis within the Murtala Mohammed Airport Command (MMAC) chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has continued to fester despite hopes that the inauguration of a new National Executive Committee in September 2023 would bring stability. The turmoil has persisted as factions within the association engage in a power struggle over the chapter’s leadership.
At the center of the controversy is the tenure of the chapter’s elected Chairman, Mr. Adewusi Adejare Bamgbala, whose leadership has been repeatedly challenged by a rival faction claiming legitimacy. According to the chapter’s Vice Chairman,
Mr. Davies Ben Chukwunenye, the crisis stems from an attempt by ANLCA’s national leadership to impose Mr. Temitope Akindele as chairman despite him not contesting in the chapter’s elections.
Chukwunenye, in an exclusive interview, traced the origins of the dispute back to 2018, when multiple candidates, including Akindele, picked up nomination forms for the chapter elections. However, he alleged that Akindele later aligned with a faction of ANLCA’s Board of Trustees (BOT), which was not duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), to conduct a separate election. This, he claimed, was an illegitimate attempt to gain control of the MMAC chapter.
Chukwunenye stated that between 2018 and 2022, the matter was tied up in legal battles, which were ultimately resolved in 2022 in favor of the current executive committee. However, despite possessing legal documents affirming their legitimacy, the factional dispute has continued, with allegations that the national body is seeking to sideline those who did not support its leadership transition.
The situation escalated on April 26, 2024, when a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting ended in a deadlock over the issue. Despite assurances from the ANLCA President, Mr. Emenike Nwokeoji, that the matter would be revisited, Chukwunenye claimed that Akindele was sworn in as chairman later that night in what he described as an unprecedented move.
“The process is still ongoing, and the court has not made a final ruling. But despite a court order on the matter, they continue to brazenly disregard it,” he said.
The controversy has also drawn the attention of security agencies operating at the airport, including the police, Air Force, and Department of State Services (DSS). Chukwunenye noted that while these agencies have been largely compliant with the rule of law, the new Airport Commandant may not yet be fully aware of the background of the case.
He accused ANLCA’s BOT Chairman, Alhaji Taiwo Mustafa, of using connections within the Nigerian Navy to influence the Commandant. However, he expressed confidence that once presented with all relevant legal documents, she would reconsider her stance.
As tensions continue to rise, Chukwunenye urged all parties, including the national leadership, to uphold the integrity of the association by respecting due process.
“This is not about individual leaders; it is about the chapter as a whole. If we allow Akindele to take over through a controversial and kangaroo election, it would be an insult to every ANLCA member at the airport,” he stated.
He called on the national leadership to reconsider its stance for the sake of unity, warning that continued interference could damage the credibility of the association.
“No man is infallible, and the National Executive must retrace its steps. Insisting on installing someone who never contested an election will only harm the association’s reputation,” he added.