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The Registered Trustees of the Environment Media Correspondents Association of Nigeria (EMCAN) have rejected the outcome of a purported congress that claimed to have dissolved the association’s Executive Committee and constituted an interim leadership.
In a joint statement signed by Mr Amechi Chukwuekwu Oyema and Mr Godson Elekwachi, both Registered Trustees, on Saturday, the trustees described the meeting and its resolutions as unauthorised, disputed and not representative of the official position of the association.
The trustees stated that EMCAN has not adopted a formal constitution outlining procedures for convening congresses, determining quorum, conducting elections, removing officers or dissolving the Executive Committee.
They added that the alleged congress was neither authorised by the registered trustees nor convened through any approved process recognised by the association.
According to the statement, the decisions announced at the meeting, including the purported dissolution of the Executive Committee and the appointment of an interim leadership, remain disputed and should not be regarded as binding on the association.
The trustees also raised concerns over the alleged participation of non-members in the proceedings.
They said available records indicate that Mr Samuel Adeyinka of FRCN, Mr Folarin Kehinde, and Mr Adekunle Buruji, who were announced as members of the purported Interim Executive Committee and Electoral Committee, respectively, are not registered members of EMCAN.
They further noted that the motion for the constitution of the purported interim leadership was seconded by Mr Goodluck Adubazi of Standard Times, who, according to the trustees, is also not a registered member of the association.
“The inclusion of non-members in key decisions affecting the association raises serious concerns about the legitimacy and credibility of the exercise,” the statement said.
The trustees stressed that they have neither considered, endorsed nor ratified the actions purportedly taken at the meeting.
They warned that claims suggesting the Executive Committee has been lawfully dissolved or that a new leadership has emerged should not be presented to members, government institutions, development partners, media organisations or the public as the official position of EMCAN.
They reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring a peaceful, transparent, inclusive and democratic process for resolving outstanding issues within the association, including the adoption of a constitution and the conduct of credible elections acceptable to members.
The trustees also appealed to members to remain calm, refrain from actions capable of deepening divisions within the association, and allow them to engage all concerned parties in the interest of unity, professionalism and the long-term sustainability of EMCAN.
