EMCAN Trustees Reject Purported Dissolution of Executive, Disown Interim Leadership By Raymond Enoch
A fresh leadership crisis has engulfed the Environment Media Correspondents Association of Nigeria (EMCAN) as the association’s Registered Trustees have rejected the purported dissolution of its Executive Committee and the announcement of an Interim Leadership by a faction within the body.
In a joint statement issued on Saturday, the Trustees described the congress from which the resolutions emerged as unauthorized, procedurally flawed and incapable of producing binding decisions on behalf of the association.
The statement, jointly signed by Registered Trustees Amechi Chukwuekwu Oyema and Godson Elekwachi, maintained that the resolutions announced after the disputed meeting—including the dissolution of the Executive Committee and the constitution of an Interim Leadership—remain contentious and do not constitute the official position of EMCAN.
According to the Trustees, the association is yet to adopt a formal constitution prescribing procedures for convening congresses, determining quorum, conducting elections, removing elected officers or dissolving the Executive Committee. They argued that the absence of such a legal framework fundamentally undermines the legitimacy of the exercise.
The Trustees further stated that the congress was neither authorised by the Registered Trustees nor convened through any recognised process of the association.
The controversy deepened as the Trustees alleged that several individuals who participated in the proceedings and voting were not registered members of EMCAN.
They specifically questioned the inclusion of Samuel Adeyinka of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and Folarin Kehinde in the purported Interim Executive Committee, as well as Adekunle Buruji in the Electoral Committee, insisting that available membership records do not identify them as registered members of the association.
The Trustees also alleged that the motion establishing the Interim Leadership was seconded by Goodluck Adubazi of Standard Times, whom they equally claimed is not a registered member of EMCAN.
According to them, the participation of individuals whose membership status remains unverified in decisions affecting the association raises “serious concerns regarding the legitimacy, credibility and integrity of the entire process.”
The Trustees stressed that they have neither considered, endorsed nor ratified any of the resolutions adopted at the disputed congress.
They consequently cautioned members, government institutions, development partners, media organisations and the general public against recognising claims that the Executive Committee had been lawfully dissolved or that any newly announced leadership validly represents the official position of EMCAN.
Despite the deepening crisis, the Trustees reaffirmed their commitment to resolving the dispute through dialogue, consultation and institutional reforms.
They pledged to facilitate the adoption of a constitution for the association and the conduct of transparent, inclusive and credible elections acceptable to all members.
Calling for calm and restraint, the Trustees urged members to refrain from actions capable of further polarising the association while ongoing consultations continue.
They reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the integrity, unity and democratic values of EMCAN, stressing that all decisions affecting the association must be taken through lawful, transparent, inclusive and constitutionally acceptable processes.
The latest development underscores an escalating leadership tussle within EMCAN, with competing claims to authority threatening the cohesion of the association as members and stakeholders await further interventions by the Registered Trustees aimed at restoring stability and charting a path toward a lasting resolution.
