The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has said its upcoming election is devoid of any government or financial influence, contrary to a report by a maritime industry newspaper.
MWUN was reacting to a report by the newspaper on Monday, which reported that eight candidates were contesting for MWUN election “amidst government and financial influences.”
MWUN in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, John Kennedy Ikemefuna said the union had only recently lifted ban on campaigns starting from 6th January, 2025, and forms for aspirants to declare their intention to contest had yet to be issued out. It therefore, maintained that the publication’s detailed analysis of purported candidates and their alleged strategies was premature and misleading.
“It is regrettable that …a respectable outlet, would propagate unverified information from a nameless individual, thereby heating up the polity of our 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,” MWUN stated.
Ikemefuna said the union remained a democratically run organization guided by its constitution.
“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,” he added.
According to him, 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.
He continued: “We also take exception to the reference to the supposition that MWUN allows the interference of our past leaders to determine our 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 our objectives.
“We however thank the writer for recognizing the good record that Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, the incumbent President-General, has maintained through his leadershin by holding a neutral stance and ensuring a level playing field for all. Any suggesting otherwise are a construction intended to create division within the
“MWUN is committed to upholding its legacy of transparent and in 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.”
