The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has described a report in a leading maritime newspaper on election for the successor of its Presidential General, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, whose tenure will expire a few months from now as baseless and inaccurate.
In a rejoinder jointly signed by its Head Media, Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna and Deputy Secretary General, Comrade Erasua Oniha, the union said that its attention has been drawn to
to an article titled “MWUN Presidency: Eight Aspirants Jostle to Succeed Adeyanju Amidst Government, Financial Influences”.
Acknowledging the importance of an informed public discourse on matters affecting the esteemed union, the statement noted that it’s “necessary to address the inaccuracies, baseless claims, and sensationalism contained in the said publication.”
The rejoinder clarified that the union has only recently lifted the ban on campaigns starting from 6th January, 2025, and that forms for aspirants to declare their intention to contest have yet to be issued out.
It therefore described the publication’s detailed analysis of purported candidates and their alleged strategies as both premature and misleading, regretting that “Ships & Ports”, a respectable outlet, would propagate unverified information from a nameless individual, thereby heating up the polity of the union and the maritime sector unnecessarily.
“Secondly, the claim that financial resources and government influence will dictate the outcome of the forthcoming election is both laughable and baseless and we wonder where the writer got his/her information from,” the statement further enthused.
MWUN declared in the rejoinder that it remains a democratically run organization guided by its constitution, adding that the union’s tradition provides for a free and fair delegates’ conference, devoid of external interference or monetary inducement. “To suggest otherwise undermines the credibility of our electoral process and disrespects the integrity of our members.
“MWUN operates on the principles of equity and unity, and its leadership is determined through democratic means. Any aspirant’s eligibility will be assessed and determined based on the guidelines enshrined in our constitution and not on the speculative and disruptive arguments presented in the said publication,” the statement informed.
The union frowned at the reference to the supposition that MWUN allows the interference of its past leaders to determine its leadership as this negates the spirit of the foundation of discipline and respect for rules and law which they worked tirelessly to lay and which still drives union’s objectives.
“We however thank the writer for recognizing the good record that Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, the incumbent President-General, has maintained through his leadership by holding a neutral stance and ensuring a level playing field for all. Any claim suggesting otherwise are a construction intended to create division within the union.
“MWUN is committed to upholding its legacy of transparent and inclusive governance, as exemplified during Comrade Adeyanju’s tenure. We urge “Ships & Ports and other media outlets to prioritize accuracy and impartiality in their reportage.
“The union’s leadership election is not a political circus but a structured process designed to reflect the will of its members.
“In conclusion, we call on the media to desist from publishing unverified reports that could undermine the unity and stability of MWUN and industrial peace in the maritime sector. We remain focused on ensuring a seamless transition of leadership that prioritizes the welfare of our members and the continued progress of the maritime industry,” the statement added.