A member of the Edo National Association Worldwide(ENAW), identified as Mr. Emmanuel Aigbedion, has recently called out the Association for the unjust practices and failure to observe the association’s constitution for candidacy requirement and qualifications as found on Article VI Section 4C.
While lamenting the injustice carried out, Mr. Emmanuel said: “Unfortunately, my opponent did not qualify, As someone that believes in the rule of law, integrity and ethics, and as a proud Benin person, I felt that this is injustice that should not be allowed to stand.
According to him:
“The ENAW has been hacked by a certain individual / group. These people are like a cabal. They have a crooked mindset, their agenda is to position their people whom they can control in all the key positions to effect their crooked agenda, so they can run and control ENAW like their property. They are not comfortable with progressive minds like me, hence they did everything they can, to truncate my emerging as the Council of Presidents Chairman (COP). Because they know they can not micromanage me. They are wary of me and my philosophical stance on issues, knowing that I will not be a part, nor support their dubious ways. It was very obvious that they do not want minds like me.
“Not surprising that soon after they sworn in this person, they went ahead to cancel the ENAW yearly medical mission to Edo State.
This mission has over the years established itself as a prima medical mission. Even the Oba of Benin and the Edo State governor are both aware of this medical mission. Instead of them building on the already foundation, they outright canceled the mission. This was a mission that was enjoyed by the Edo people for over so many years.
“ We know that there are millions of people in Edo state, particularly in the villages and small towns who has no access to Medical Mission, you need to be there on these mission to see the joy and excitement in the eyes of the villagers and in those in Benin City who were beneficiary of the mission. the joy that these people enjoyed is now being hijacked and as the mission is now canceled, thanks to this cabal. Furthermore , having illegally sworn in the wrong person, they seem bent on following such crooked ways by hurriedly trying to amend the constitution to expunge Article VI Section 4C to allow this person to run again next year.”
“In addition, recently they hurriedly decided to sell the Emotan Garden Property donated to ENAW by Late. Capt Hosa Okunbo. During the 2018 ENAW convention In Toronto, Canada.
Mr. Emmanuel who stated that “this was the third court case in the association in less than 10 years”. Also decried the unethical method employed in getting him to withdraw the court case he had filed due to the injustice.
“For months, ENAW has used different people and sources to reach out to me to withdraw the matter so we can have in house settlement. About 2 months ago, I agreed and told my lawyer to stop all proceedings. To my greatest surprise, ENAW became stall in in the negotiations, and secretly wired funds to their lawyer to continue the case, just to sabotage, jeopardize my effect, and to cut me off guard. Very very unethical.” He said.
He further called on His Royal Highness, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare 11, the Edo State government and Edo citizens, letting them know the atrocity and shady business currently ongoing in ENAW.
Speaking with Mr. Frank Omoruna who is the chairman of the board spoke with our correspondence in Nigeria via phone call, Frank said as the Chairman of the board, he is aware of the rift happening among the members which he called family members who came from same source and state, he said in his words that it is nothing to talk about publicly at all, "Although the case is in court and I wonder why it will be so because we are all family, we still eat from same plate together therefore there is no rift we cannot settle by ourselves without Court's intervention and we have talked about it to take it out of court, I believe we will take it out soon. The posts elected candidates for is even voluntary post, no funds is attached, however, we will settle it within ourselves."