The Nigeria Association of the Blind’s (NAB) National Board is calling on Akwa Ibom State’s governor, Pastor Umo Eno, to intervene in a crisis within the organization in the state, concerning a breach of their constitution.
Stanley Oyebuchi, the National President of NAB, emphasized that failure to resolve the Akwa Ibom chapter’s issue could lead to the suspension of all inclusion projects and activities in the state by their affiliate organizations and international partners.
In an open letter to Governor Umo Eno in Uyo, signed by the South-South Zonal Coordinator Nkemakonam Ofili on behalf of the National President, Oyebuchi expressed dissatisfaction over the State Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, and the Special Assistant to the Governor on PWDs, Mrs Nene Bassey’s decision to support the former state chairman, Ubong Akpan, in conducting an election against the union’s constitution.
Although Ubong Akpan’s tenure as the state chairman expired in August 2023, he extended it by eight months, leading the national board to dissolve his executive team as stipulated in the constitution.
A five-member committee was established to oversee the union’s affairs for three months, during which an election would be held. The South-South Zonal Coordinator, Nkemakonam Ofili, was tasked with enforcing the board’s decision in the state.
Akpan, who had postponed the elections during his tenure citing lack of funds from the Ministry, hastily formed an electoral committee in violation of the NAB constitution.
The National Board criticized the actions of Nene Bassey, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, and the former state chairman as unconstitutional and urged the governor to address the crisis to avoid further escalation.
If the unauthorized election proceeds on Friday, NAB will suspend the state chapter and notify affiliate organizations and international partners to halt all projects due to unwarranted government interference in managing disability organizations.
Despite acknowledging the governor’s support to disability issues in the state, NAB appealed to Governor Umo Eno to resolve the ongoing crisis promptly.
Nene Bassey, in a warning letter to former national officers of NAB, cautioned against attempts by certain individuals to disrupt the organization’s activities without the Ministry’s consent, emphasizing the government’s significant support to NAB in the state.