The forthcoming elections for various chapters of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) have taken a new turn as the Oodua Maritime Forum has made it clear that only Yoruba candidates should be elected into Chairmanship positions. This stance was reinforced on Wednesday by the Oba of Ijora Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Fatai Oyeyinka Aremu Aromire (Oyegbemi II), during the campaign kickoff for ANLCA’s KLT Chapter Chairmanship aspirant, Alhaji Ahmed Olajide Bello.
Represented by one of his whitecap chiefs, Chief Akogun of Ijora and Apapa Kingdom, the Oba firmly stated that individuals from the Igbo community or any other tribes should not be elected as chairmen of chapters in the western region. He pledged his full support for Alhaji Ahmed Olajide Bello, urging all members of the association to rally behind his candidacy.
“We may not be part of your group officially, but we are the rightful founders of this group, as you operate on our land,” the Oba’s representative remarked. “What we are witnessing today mirrors what transpired during the recent governorship election in Lagos. The whitecap chiefs and the Oba were instrumental in securing what is rightfully ours. If something cannot be accepted in your own state, it should not be imposed on us here in Lagos.”
He continued, “The message from Kabiyesi is clear: support our son, Ahmed Olajide Bello. He is not only a loyal son of the land but also a chief in the royal palace. He has the experience and commitment to deliver on his promises and serve us all well. We must all stand behind him for the good of our community.”
“I want to tell my brothers from the East that we are not fighting anyone, we are friends. Without you from the East, there would be no Lagos. But don’t think that just because of this, you can step on my toes as a son of the land — I won’t accept that.
“For many of you from the East, if we hold elections in places like Alaba or Ojo Local Government and don’t make someone from the East the Deputy Chairman, we won’t succeed. We do this because we can’t push you away.”
“However, for this election we’re discussing, you must follow the wishes of the Yorubas and avoid any misconduct.
“The Igbo people and those from the East are my closest friends. My second wife, Chinyere, lives in Festac. But despite the love I have for you, I won’t betray my own brother,” the Ojora concluded.
Also speaking, the President of Oodua Maritime, a pressure group within ANLCA, Chief Oye Ariyo, emphasized that the Yoruba position on the upcoming ANLCA Chapter Election is not driven by any animosity or hatred toward the Igbos in the association. Instead, it’s about ensuring that the same practices followed in the Eastern chapters are mirrored in the West.
“We don’t have any issues with anyone. In the East, they’ve followed their own practices, and we don’t have a single Yoruba or Hausa person holding positions there. We want to do the same here in the West, and that’s why we’ve made it clear that we don’t want candidates from other tribes in any of our chapters. That’s the decision, and it stands.
“We’re not saying they can’t hold positions here, but they will be given roles that are suitable for them.
“All the Yoruba candidates running for election are fully capable and represent the youth, who are the ones who can make things happen right now. I’m confident they will all win,” Ariyo stated.
He urged all Oodua members to cast their votes for Ahmed Olajide Bello for KLT Chapter Chairman.
He continued, “I’ve been in this business for 40 years, and in the East, I’ve never seen a Yoruba man become Chairman. Even the smallest position, like Assistant Secretary, is rarely given to us.
“On Election day, make sure to vote only for Yoruba candidates and their allies.”
Prince Taiye Oyeniyi, the Patron of ANLCA, said the Yoruba community is ready to make a strong statement in the upcoming ANLCA Chapter elections in the Western Zone.
“We’re going to make a statement in these elections in the Western Zone.
“As Patron of ANLCA across the federation, I stand by what my ancestral home wants. All the contestants in the Western Zone are like my children, but I have a mission. ANLCA is a big organization, with branches in the North, East, and West.
“When the Oodua, which spans almost eight states, speaks, its message will be heard. We’re not fighting anyone. Our decision, made in our caucus meeting, stands firm.
“I assure you that the election will be smooth and peaceful,” Oyeniyi added.
Mr. Kehinde Alata, the ANLCA Sole Administrator for the KLT Chapter, called for support for Chairmanship candidate Ahmed Olajide Bello, emphasizing that he is the right person for the role.
“I’ve been part of this campaign since before I became Sole Administrator of the chapter. What we need in KLT is to revive our operations. The best administrations we’ve had here were under Abiodun Ogunfowora and Bayo Oyekangun.
“Currently, all our terminals are underutilized, but we believe that with a new administration, KLT will once again become a bustling hub with full terminals.
“People used to come from other chapters to work here, but that’s not the case anymore. With Ahmed Olajide Bello’s leadership, KLT will once again be a port of destination,” Alata assured.
Former KLT Chapter Chairman and ex-Secretary of the ANLCA Board of Trustees, Alhaji Bayo Oyekangun, also spoke, urging members to avoid violence during the upcoming elections.
He described Bello as a candidate who understands the struggles of practicing agents and is committed to making a real impact.
“The executives must serve all members, including terminal operators, shipping companies, and Customs. Remember, you’re serving everyone, not just a select few. Be good ambassadors for the chapter,” Oyekangun said.
Ahmed Olajide Bello, the KLT Chairmanship aspirant, presented his manifesto, which included a seven-point agenda for the chapter:
Transparency in Operations: “I will ensure clear and accessible communication about decisions, financials, and procedures for all members.”
Enhanced Member Training: “We will hold regular, high-quality training sessions to keep our members up-to-date on customs regulations, technology, and best practices in clearing and forwarding.”
Networking and Partnerships: “I plan to strengthen our network by building partnerships with terminal operators, shipping lines, and other logistics stakeholders to improve service delivery and reduce costs for members.”
Member Support Services: “We will establish a support service or helpline to assist members with customs, documentation, and legal challenges.”
Inclusive Membership: “We will promote diversity within the chapter by encouraging younger professionals, women, and other underrepresented groups to join and take leadership roles.”
Conflict Resolution: “We will implement systems for mediation and conflict resolution to maintain harmony and cooperation among members.”
Feedback Mechanism: “We will create a system for gathering member feedback to ensure the chapter evolves according to their needs and suggestions.”