•We reject the outcome of the election, aggrieved members
•The incumbent chairman is highhanded – Mr. Elijah Sinwa, Association Vice Chairman
•Our constitution has been doctored – Aggrieved Member
•The allegation is frivolous – George Timiyan, Association Chairman
An organizational crisis has engulfed the Gbaramatu Welders and Fitters Association as Okerenkoko Unit, the Vice-Chairman, Mr. Elijah Sinwa and others have pulled out of the association’s election conducted yesterday to fill the Chairman and Public Relations Officer’s positions.
He made this known in a chat with GbaramatuVoice correspondent earlier today in the company of other aggrieved members of the association.
According to him, the Okerenkoko unit which he represents has pulled out of the election due to certain actions by the outgoing Chairman who he claims is the major problem militating against the success of the election, alleging that the Chairman is personally interested in making sure that his anointed candidate carries the day.
The Vice-Chairman maintained that those who voted during the election were non-members the association imported by the incumbent to help him rig the election.
Speaking in the same vein, Mr. Akpenyi Solomon, an aggrieved chairmanship contender, claimed that the association’s outgoing Chairman hired people who were not Welders and Fitters and were not from Gbaramatu to vote during the election.
To buttress his point, he stated that those who voted should be subjected to a practical test to prove their claims that they were professional welders.
Mr. Akpenyi further alleged that the provisions of their constitution have been altered as he wasn’t aware of certain changes adopted in it.
On his part, Mr. Kosenen Kuroemi, an Electoral Committee member stated his resolve to oppose the election as a result of the above claims and accusations while claiming that non-Gbaramatu members were brought in by the outgoing Chairman to vote for his candidate.
Responding to these accusations when contacted on the phone, Engr. George Timiyan, the outgoing Chairman of the association dismissed the allegations as frivolous and lacking any facts to back them up.
He finally opined that the election as conducted was free and fair while suggesting that anyone who objects to its outcome is free to seek redress from a higher authority as may be deemed fit.
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