The intrigue ahead of the March 28 Quadrennial National Delegates’ Conference, NDC, that will produce a new President-General, PG, of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, came to a climax a few days ago during the flag-off ceremony of campaigns by Francis Bunu Abi with the incumbent PG, where the outgoing PG, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, and other Labour leaders endorsed him.
Speaking, President-General of the Union, Prince Adeyanju, among others, told the gathering of labour leaders and members of the Union that: “I will not hand over this government to a marketer. I have been saying it repeatedly. I won’t hand over this government to a marketer because I know them, and they know me. That is why they are afraid.
“There is no way you are going to mortgage the rights of the workers and turn the sector upside down. There is no way you are going to turn this institution into buying and selling at the back of the workers. This is an institution that produces leaders, and it will continue to do so.
“In line with our constitution, we have four branches. All the other two branches have produced a President-General in the past. I looked inward at the remaining two and decided to pick from the Seafarers’ Branch, which is very dear to the heart of maritime workers. I do not think I made a mistake in picking Francis Bunu. After him, it’s the turn of Shipping. That is a fact; it is a statement of fact. The incoming PG will not alter our constitution to favour one branch indefinitely.”
Earlier, the President of the NPA Branch of MWUN, Ifeanyi Mazeli, commended Adeyanju for his leadership and the stability he has brought to the union.
Mazeli, who had initially declared his intention to run for President-General, informed that he stepped down after extensive consultations with the former PG, Emmanuel Anthony Nted, and the pleas by the President of the Dockworkers Branch, Tajudeen Ohize.
According to him, their discussions, alongside his belief in Adeyanju’s leadership, convinced him to withdraw from the race.
He said: “I had serious conversations with Tony Nted and Tajudeen Ohize, who, since I declared my intention, had pressurized me to step down. I believe in the leadership of our President-General, and that is why I took the decision.”
The President of the Seafarers’ Branch, Sunday Avoseh, expressed gratitude to Adeyanju for trusting the branch.
He highlighted that under Adeyanju’s leadership, the Seafarers’ Branch had transformed, particularly with the success of the Minimum standard of payment in the branch that improved members’ welfare.
He said: “Our present leader is a man who loves justice, equity, and fairness.”
The owners of this union sat and made the constitution and said henceforth, the position of the President-General must be rotational.
“And we, following the will of the founders of this union, the veterans and leaders of this union, stand in position to work with him. That is why today if you take a look at this union, you will see that there is a branch that is next in line to produce the next PG. “Bunu will not disappoint.”
Similarly, the Dockworkers’ Branch President, Tajudeen Ohize praised Adeyanju’s leadership, acknowledging the stability and development recorded under his tenure.
