*Says he’s still in the race
Agency Report, Uyo
The immediate past National Secretary General of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Dr Ofonime Inynag has disassociated himself from the purported election recently conducted in Abuja by some factional members of the organization.
Dr. Inyang, who is a renowned writer and Senior Lecturer, Department of Theatre Art in the University of Uyo, made this known on Saturday, 14th March, 2020 during an interaction with some Journalists in Akwa Ibom State.
According to Dr Inyang who is a frontrunner for the Office of National President of ANA, there was a release made public recently to the effect that, there was an election, purported to have been held on the 7th of March 2020 in Abuja to fill vacant offices in the National Executive of the Organization. He however denounced such claims, insisting that, as a major stakeholder and candidate in the ANA elections, he was neither privy to, nor was he a participant in the said election.
Hear him; “my name was listed as one of the persons elected in absentia as an Ex-officio member. I want to use this platform to clearly tell everybody; all right thinking persons in ANA and the global literary community that, I am not associated in any way whatsoever with what purportedly happened in Abuja on the 7th of March, 2020. I was not consulted, I’m not in the know and I am not in support of that purported election.”
Dr. Inyang however called on his teaming supporters to ignore the outcome of such election, adding that when the current issue and crises in the Association is sorted out, the proper election would be conducted.
“I want my supporters to understand that I’m still in race. Remain steadfast and calm until some issues are sorted out. There are certain practices that we have seen and think it is not in the interest of the ANA. Let’s allow the will of the Congress to prevail. Let’s come together to find a solution to the current situation. We can resolve the crises of ANA through legitimate means.” – Inyang Stated.
He further alerted of another plot by some group of persons in the organization, who, according to him, are planning to hold an illegal election on the 28th March, 2020 in Maiduguri, Borno State for ANA.
Dr. Ime Inyang also declared his stance on the said election, stating that he is not part of March 28th purported election. He argued that, at the last Congress of ANA which ended in a stalemated election, the General Congress had resolved to ensure a credible election is held within the 180 days stipulated in the ANA Constitution.
Dr Inyang said, he stands by that decision and would not allow a few individuals manipulate the body or foist their on agenda on ANA.He declared that, he will only accept a legitimate exercise conducted in strict accordance with ANA Constitution, adding that, he remains certain, the body will come out stronger and more vibrant after the crisis has been resolved.
Speaking earlier, Dr. Inyang described ANA as an umbrella Association of all writers in Nigeria, with a serious interest and commitment to the promotion of literature and writing heritage of Nigeria.
He narrated that he has served the Association in many capacities both at the State and National levels, starting as the State Publicity Secretary, the State General Secretary and State Chairman of the Association. At the National level, Inyang said he first started as the Financial Secretary, before contesting for the General Secretary, the position he served for 2 terms.
It will be recalled that the National Elective Convention of the ANA which was held on November 12, 2019 in Enugu State ended in a Stalemated election as petitions of fraud, disenfranchisement and electoral malpractices marred the exercise.
