The Performing Musicians Employers' Association of Nigeria (PMAN) on 27th June, 2017 held a full house general meeting at GPark Resort, Uyo where interested candidates made their declaration to run for various offices. The meeting was massively attended by members all across the 26 zones of the union in Akwa Ibom state. The ELECO Board Chairman, Comrade Joe Itiaba, addressed the house on the electoral guidelines and other matters related to the forthcoming general election of the union. He stressed that he would conduct a free, fair and transparent election and solicited the cooperation and support of all members to achieve this aim. In his own speech, The Caretaker Committee Chairman, Comrade Aniefiok George aka Chaiker Banton urged members to support the ELECO Board to succeed and vowed to conduct a free and fair election.
The meeting had earlier kicked off with songs and solidarity chants sending sparks of comradeship amongst the multitude of members present. The high-points of the day came when interested contestants came out to make their declarations to contest for various offices. Dr. Victor Effiong Idim aka Vidim Africa set the ball rolling as he made his declaration to run for chairman.
Vidim Africa got the whole house cheering as he not only declared for elective post but declared bottles of drinks for all members present.
The house also had quite an uproar as incumbent Caretaker Chairman Comrade Chaiker Banton also made his declaration by distributing flyers of his manifesto to all members. Thereafter a motion was moved for the entire Executive Officers of the Caretaker Committee to step down as prescribed by the PMAN Constitution and it was subsequently seconded and ratified by the general house. The Secretariat is duly mandated by the PMAN Constitution to oversee the affairs of the Union as we count down to election day.
As the Secretary (Comrade Inem Matthew) announced to the house the peace move from the Jeremy Ekong faction, agreeing to incorporate 3 members (from the Jeremy camp) into the ELECO Board, the general house exploded in a fracas of disagreement. All attempts to quiet frayed nerves proved abortive as members were divided on the issue, some in support of the peace and unity move while others utterly objected to it; the meeting thereby was ended on that note.
