By Innocent Orok
In a candid and hard-hitting interview, Dr Kayode Farinto, a former Acting National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), has expressed strong discontent with the current leadership of ANLCA under President Emenike Nwokeoji.
Farinto criticized Nwokeoji’s handling of recent internal disputes in the association, alleging that the ANLCA Board is over-stepping its mandate, causing a detrimental impact on the association’s relevance and effectiveness in the industry.
Speaking to our correspondent, Farinto did not hold back in his critique, describing the conduct of the ANLCA National President and the board as akin to “dancing naked in public.” He expressed frustration at the apparent erosion of the president’s authority, which he feels has been overshadowed by the board’s involvement in executive matters.
“Emenike is not behaving like the National President of ANLCA,” Farinto declared. “From what I am seeing now, it looks as if the new board has taken over the role of the president. This should not be the case in a properly run organisation. The board’s role is advisory and is meant to support, not overrule or overstep the executive authority of the president.”
Farinto highlighted his concerns over the dismissal of the Secretary of ASECO of the ANLCA’s Electoral Commission, without clear justification. He questioned the board’s motives in this action, suggesting that the lack of transparency hinted at hidden agendas and irregular practices.
“Who removed the secretary? We don’t know. We just saw a letter flying around. This is why I said somebody is dancing naked,” he remarked, underscoring the disarray and apparent internal power struggles within ANLCA. “We decided to keep calm, but it doesn’t mean we will allow them to continue with illegal acts.”
Farinto also criticized the entrenched power of certain board members, whom he described as “70-year-old men refusing to step aside.” According to Farinto, their continued hold on power is leading to a stagnation of ANLCA’s progress and relevance, and their influence has failed to add value to the industry.
“These same individuals are talking about the history of the CRFFN Act or how it was passed by the National Assembly, but what value have they truly added to the industry in recent years?” Farinto questioned.
He shared that his tenure was focused on advocacy and progress, contrasting sharply with what he perceives as a period of regression under the current leadership.The conflict over the board’s involvement in ANLCA’s decision-making appears to stem from last year’s board elections, where Farinto alleged the process had been manipulated, with “miscreants” allegedly brought in to influence the outcome.
He stated that while he and his supporters had refrained from disrupting the association’s affairs in the past, this time, they might consider stronger actions if the current “grandstanding” continues.
Farinto went on to address the broader issue of ANLCA’s role in the industry, suggesting that the association has lost its standing and is no longer relevant.
“ANLCA has become a body that endorses illegalities in the industry,” he lamented. He fears that if the status quo is maintained, ANLCA will lose further credibility and may be forced to step back from its involvement in shaping industry policies and standards.
When asked if he would advise his faction to withdraw from upcoming elections, Farinto did not rule out the possibility, stating, “Yes, because this situation mirrors the flawed board elections we have seen in the past, where outcomes seem decided even before votes were cast.” He emphasized his desire for fair processes, noting the challenges faced by his allies in previous elections.
Farinto concluded with a stern warning that unless the association’s leadership rectifies its internal issues and realigns its priorities, ANLCA will continue to struggle with internal division and a lack of industry impact. The ANLCA of today, he warned, risks becoming an organisation entrenched in controversy rather than a unified voice advocating for the welfare of Customs agents and stakeholders across the sector.
