ANA Elections 2011: How the tables turned

There was a tensed atmosphere Saturday December 3 at the Raw Material Research and Development Council Hall, Maitama, when Nigerian writers gathered to elect a new EXCO. It was a stiff battle between members of the old guard led by Dr. Jerry Agada and the new led by Prof. Remi Raji – the incumbents on […]

There was a tensed atmosphere Saturday December 3 at the Raw Material Research and Development Council Hall, Maitama, when Nigerian writers gathered to elect a new EXCO.

It was a stiff battle between members of the old guard led by Dr. Jerry Agada and the new led by Prof. Remi Raji – the incumbents on one side and the “movement for change” on the other.

The much vilified Members of the 2009/2011 EXCO, all but a few had dug in, and were ready to battle for their seats even with the shadow of their “non-performance” dwarfing their statures.

The movement for change has been campaigning for long, using social media and text messages, attacking the lack of policy and drive of the incumbent EXCO. The tide was in its favour and it looked like it would be a clean sweep of the old guard. Prof. Remi Raji looked poised to ride on this tide to power. It was supposed to be that easy.

But to write off an experienced politician like the incumbent Jerry Agada was a mistake the challengers almost made. With the poor organisation surrounding the convention, writers were angry and calls for change at the top became a mantra.

But the incumbents have been through the process before and knew the intricacies of winning elections in ANA. They had been quietly strategising and making plans while the convention was fallen apart. Late night meetings and alliances, mediations and compromises and secret deals characterised these meetings.

It was evident at the opening that elections were the thing on most people’s mind while the keynote address was being delivered, those with interest in the elections poured into the hallways of the Reiz Hotel to discuss strategies.

Text messages and handbills were circulated by “faceless” groups in support of one candidate or group of candidates.

Suddenly, Dr. Jerry Agada, who had suffered the butts of most of the criticisms was fighting back. His supporters came out to attack the “New ANA Movement” which has sustained the call for change.

Dr. Ngozi Chuma Umeh went as far as claiming that the text messages had even threatened her marriage and “on behalf of the women” called for a “stop to this nonsense.”

Some people were swayed by Dr. Agada’s mature handling of the AGM, where he had to contend with acerbic attacks on his person and the office he has held the last two years. Others felt he was “dictatorial” in handling the microphone, allowing only his supporters to speak.

But the moment that almost clinched it for Agada was when Dr. Seyi Adigun, the LOC chair and Chairman of the Abuja chapter came out to declare that Dr. Agada has lent N2m for the successful hosting of the convention and there was no likelihood of the money being repaid.

Dr. Agada capitalised on this. The fact that he didn’t seem to mind his money going down the drain, to save members from being thrown out of their hotel rooms earned him more commendations and sympathies.

As the EXCO was dissolved and members were being  screened for elections, the challengers looked visibly low on confidence as it seemed the tide had turned.

Pit-fights

Interestingly, some members of the dissolved EXCO like Maryam Ali-Okedrian (Treasurer), Ebika Anthony (PRO South), Alkasim Abdulkadir (Asst Sec Gen.) and Tade Ipaeola (Legal Adviser) decided not to seek re-election. Apart from Jerry Agada who was going head to head with Remi Raji, others like Hyacinth Obunseh, the Sec. Gen had to stave of stiff challenges from BM Dzukogi and late challenger, Jare Ajayi, while the Vice President Sunny Ododo had to contend with Denja Abdullahi.

The PRO North was a pit fight between young Richard Ali and veteran Omale Allen-Abduljabbar, both had shared a good working relation in Jos as chapter secretary and chairman in Jos.

Clean sweep

After hours of elections and counting, results were announced. When Richard Ali floored Omale Abduljabbar, hope rose for the opposition. And then Hyacinth fell to Dzukogi and made things a lot more uncomfortable for Dr. Agada.

Denja Abdullahi beat Dr. Ododo by 2 votes to become vice President and finally the result for the presidential elections.

When Prof. Sam Ukala, chair of the electoral body announced that Dr. Jerry Agada had scored 101 votes, the hall held its breath. Prof. Remi Raji had 103 votes and the hall eruptedHalf the hall was visibly mooning over the turn of events.

There has been a complete change in the association, except for Mr. Obunseh who automatically becomes an ex-officio member by virtue of being the immediate past Sec. Gen.

In the dark

The Agada EXCO has been swept aside and Remi Raji’s, with its drive and hands-on approach is now on the saddle.

But for all its shortcomings, the previous EXCO was, by it’s composition defective – a team of unwieldy bed fellows thrown together by the swinging fortunes of the 2009 elections in Minna.

Though Dr. Agada may feel betrayed by some close allies and cheated by circumstances, [his agents believed there was a slip-up in counting the votes and his demands for a recount were turned down] it would be said he fought a good fight and lost gallantly

Dr. Agada may be conservative but he has, in many instances, never shied from dipping his hand into his pocket to bankroll many ANA activities. The association has been crippled by a dearth of finances over the years and has had to rely on cooperate sponsorship and the deep pockets of some members to hold the roof down.

It is a problem Prof. Remi Raji will have to contend with and possibly find a way around. But one problem he won’t face is that of a team on different sides of the divide. The people around Remi Raji have been working with him through the campaigns and share most of his ideals.

In his inaugural speech, Remi Raji called for the commencement of a healing process and promised an immediate turn-around in the way the association is being run.

“If in the next two months, the ten items on my agenda have not been addressed, you can hold me accountable,” he had said.

This team apparently has verve and ideas and the next two years will determine whether ideas will be enough.