By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Sports Writers Association Nigeria, SWAN, Anambra State Chapter, has thrown its weight behind Isaiah Benjamin led SWAN national leadership.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Chapter, Chimezie Anaso and the Secretary, Ikenna Nwokedi, the chapter declared the position of SWAN Anambra Chapter on the stage managed crisis purportedly going on at the national leadership of SWAN.
According to the statement, “SWAN Anambra held its January Congress on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 and resolved as follows:
“That having taken a holistic and critical look at recent development, we are of the informed opinion that there is no crisis whatsoever in the association.
“We condemn the failed attempt by some people to unjustly heat up the association and subsequently create an atmosphere of rancour, confusion, wranglings and bad blood that is needless and unwarranted.
“That SWAN held a Full Council/ Triennial Delegate Congress in July 2023 where a duly elected leadership emerged with Mr. Isaiah Benjamin elected as the President, in line with the provisions of SWAN Statute.
“That the President has piloted the affairs of SWAN with dignity, humility, harmony, civility, firmness and purpose since he assumed office and has successfully put the association on the path of progress.
“SWAN Anambra Chapter totally endorse the peace and reconciliation building process initiated by the President and are convinced that the outcome will be of greater interest to the professional association.
“The Chapter rejects the distractions and pledged total loyalty to Benjamin as President of SWAN and commits to application of internal dispute mechanisms for addressing vexed issues where they exist rather than archaic coup d’etat approach.
“That we were not aware of any National Executive Council, NEC meeting purportedly held on January 7 and January 9, 2024 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom as it was not called at the instance of President, Isaiah Benjamin or the Secretary General, Ikenna Okonkwo as provided for by the SWAN Statute.
“Anambra Chapter vehemently disassociates itself from any decision or communiqué arising from such a meeting or gathering as the meeting was alien to SWAN statute, null, void and of no effect.
“We stand on the mandate constitutionally and unanimously given to President Isaiah Benjamin in Omoku, Rivers State on July 26, 2023 and pledge our unalloyed support to work for the success of his administration.
“That we will not cooperate with any person or group directly or remotely to destroy the association we have laboured to build.”
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