My attention has been drawn to a primitive, ill- conceived and watering Press Statement issued by a premature, incompetent and attention seeking self- acclaimed National Publicity Secretary of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), loyal to the unconstitutionally elected Carmilus Ukah, regard, which was titled, "ANA National Re- affirmed Edward Oviawe led EXCO in Edo"
It is sad to note that Carmillus Ukah who is a legal icon, refused to acknowledge the fact that 'One cannot build something on nothing" It is basically childish to assume Edward Oviawe is the Chairman ANA Edo when an election was supervised by my humble self (former Chairman, National delegate led by Ahmad Maiwada). Instead of calling for peace and reconciliation meeting, Carmillus Ukah is busy chasing the empty winds.
Was it not an ignominious defeat for the Local Government Chairman to have cancelled the appointment and award scheduled by Edwin Oviawe and his group. That shows that leadership is not all about noise making, but capacity. As the former Chairman of ANA Edo, I was able to redefine and restructure the Association from its slumber state. The testimony is verifiable.
As an Elderstateman, I have decided to pretend as if nothing was happening, not a depiction of a mind of frailty but to show that I was more matured and enlightened to talk about ANA, a supposed exemplary forum of literary scholars, until the amateur Wale Adedoyin issued the Izagodo (Empty drum) press statement. A mere glance at the scandalous statement will convince you that Wole Adedoyin needs a thorough brush-up in the self acclaimed journalism.
Sincerely, I still believe ANA can be united, but obviously not with egoistic, self-centered, and childish garage in garbage out individual like Adedoyin, whose interest is to remain in power at the detriment of the fortune of the Association.
In the said statement, Adedoyin said "The National body of the Association of Nigerian Authors has warned members of the public, corporate organizations, eminent politicians, ANA Members in Edo State to be vigilant of another deviant, unelected and unconstitutional "ANA Edo EXCO" setup and imposed by one Goodluck Osama Ogbeide whose tenure as ANA Edo Chairman was full of financial misappropriation and deceitful extortion of money from politicians in the name of the Association"
I thereby challenge the miscreants and sycophant to investigate my stay in office. Unlike some notorious criminals who sees ANA land in Abuja as the only source of livelihood, I served ANA Edo with my resources and time. I had no reason to great, because at the end of the tunnel beckons light. Today, ANA Edo has become a pacesetter for literary activities in Edo State and the institution of Edo Reading Culture Campaign with the Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Gov. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki sealed all doubt.
Wole Adedoyin should be informed that I am not as jobless as he is. Neither do I depend on ANA treasuring to survive. My principal is simple. You don't force me to subscribe a phone with a bad network, neither will you polish a death paper for me to sign for peanuts sake.
The only issue I have with the other faction of ANA was that I simply told the Association that the battered and murdered Enugu election must be free, fare and credible. Nothing more.
In the statement, Adedoyin, indicted me of imposing unconstitutional ANA Edo EXCO led by the award winning and Mrs. Christy Omorogbe, adding that their activities was unauthorized and illegal.
It is barbaric to see the baby journalist and his cohorts posing Federal High Court Judgement as if the issue before the law court was to stop Ahmed Maiwada led administration nor to make Carmillus Ukah and his EXCO authentic. Obviously, they can read and not comprehend. My question is 'How many State Chapters voted for Ukah?' We are writers and not nuisance.
“A High Court in Abuja recently waded into the crisis which has been rocking the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) for many months. The judge, Peter Affen, in a ruling on January 12, ruled against Ahmed Maiwada, another illegal and self appointed President of ANA in whose camp Goodluck Osama Ogbeide and Mrs. Christy Omorogbe belong to, who sought the upturn of the processes which brought in his rival, Camillus Ukah on July 17th, 2020.”
The ruling was after a preliminary objection by the defendants on, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter on the grounds that the suit was incompetent as the ”required consent was not obtained from the proper authorities of the claimant”.
The defendants had also said the suit was intended to ”embarrass and annoy the defendants and was mischievous, malicious, frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of court process”.
The baby writer went ahead to say “Confidant Edward Oviawe was part of the struggle while the case was in court. He represented ANA Edo before and after the ruling of the Abuja High Court. There is no doubt that the election which took place on Saturday, 31st October, 2020 which brought in Confidant Edward Oviawe as the duly elected ANA Edo Chairman was not only legal and constitutional but also got the approval of the National Executive Council led by Camillus Uka, ANA Board of Trustees (Chaired by Professor Ernest Emeyonu) and ANA Advisory Council (Chaired by Professor Femi OSofisan).”
The statement also asked the newly elected ANA Edo EXCO ably led by Confidant Edward Oviawe to look into the financial records of the Association in the state which some ANA Edo members alleged is shrouded in secrecy since the inception of Goodluck Osama Ogbeide’s ANA Edo leadership about four years ago.
The attention miscreants should be aware that Edward Oviawe had never attended any National Convention since he joined ANA. Let me not talk about Oviawe who is my brother, because it's obvious that the factional National President, Mr. Ukah is the middleman of the disunity saga.
Any time, any day, the current and authentic Chairman of ANA Edo, Mrs. Christy Omorogbe is not a match to any of his rivals. Her integrity cannot be overemphasized. Over the years, I had restored ANA Edo from its slumber and comatose state. That is the utmost reason various establishments, government or private are calling me to confirm the authenticity of the forum. Carmillus Ukah, Edward Oviawe and others can attest to this.
Lately, I admonish Wole Adedoyin who is my friend to employ a meticulous approach in surveying this issue. ANA can not propel disunity among us. We are colleagues in the writing profession. He should desist from all sycophantic activities which sought to ridicule his name as a budding literary star on the rise. It is my prayer that ANA takes his pride of place again in the society. Obviously, not with self centered and pen warlords who are in for ANA land and their self serving purpose like servitudes.
Signed:
Comrade Goodluck Osama Ogbeide,
Former Chairman, ANA EDO
