By Matthew Denis
Members of the Kwara branch of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) were on Tuesday thrown into confusion when their election could not hold as scheduled.
There was rowdiness at the delegates conference held at the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS),Ilorin, when some delegates moved that the sitting executives should continue in office for the next four years.
The drama had began when the National Executive Council (NEC)North West Zonal Secretary, Mr. Lucky Ndahi presented the current state executives before the delegates and announced that they were seeking continuity for another tenure.
One of the delegates, Mr. Ajape Rasaq from Asa Local Government then moved motion for the state excos’ continuity and it was seconded by Nasiru Lawal from Moro Local Government area of the state.
However, contenders for the various elective positions in the association kicked against the motion, leading to disruption of the process.
The situation was however saved by Ndahi who ordered suspension of the election till further notice, directing that the status quo should remain.
The state Chairman of the Union, Comrade, Muritala Olayinka while speaking to newsmen condemned the action led my some faction within the Union.
He said ” this is a Union that is globally recognized and we have members in all the three tiers of government and guided by the constitution in carrying out activities. Therefore, for any dispute we have mechanism on how to resolve it.
According to him, the opposition camp has violated the laid down rules and regulations of the Union which led to their disqualification from contesting for election.
He said, ” In order to allow peace to reign the national representative has decided that the current executives will continue in the office pending the time the NEC will address the problem encountered in Kwara state.”
The Chairman however called on the aggrieved members to keep calm for the progress of the Union in the state, adding that he was ready to carry every member along.
By the NEC decision, the following state executives are still in charge of the union Comrade Muritala Saheed Olayinka, Chairman; Comrade Adegbite Jewoola, Vice chairman and Bolatito Oladele as Treasurer,
Others are Mudi Garuba, Auditor; Comrade Gbadamosi Akanbi, Public Relations Officer and Comrade Dikko Adebayo as Trustee.
