Nigerians living in Italy are currently embroiled in a dispute over the alleged tenure expiration of the current executives of the National Union of Nigerian Association in Italy (NUNAI), the main organization representing Nigerians in the country.
Protesting members of the association have filed petitions with various authorities, including the Director of the Provincial Revenue Agency Management in Cremona, the Board of Arbitrators, the Nigerian Embassy in Rome, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), and the Mayor of San Lazzaro di Savena in Bologna. They aim to bring attention to what they describe as illegal actions by the current executives.
Among the petitioners are Mr. Abolaji Adedayo, President of the Nigerian Community in Mantova, Bakare Henry, Iteku Amos, Aiwerioba Patience, Eze Victor, Obeten Martina, and Idahosa Bruce.
The petition was also sent to former presidents of the association, including Engr. Igbeare Barry, Mr. Ebose Faradey, Mr. Hodge Samson Iriakanu, and the current president, Mr. Ndukuba Rowland Anyaehiechukwu.
The petitioners accuse the executives, led by Anyaehiechukwu, of violating the association’s statute, particularly regarding the convening of meetings as stipulated in Article VIII, Section 1. They also allege that the executives failed to call for elections within the established deadlines as outlined in Article X, Section 1, and ignored resolutions from both the executive council and the general assembly on multiple occasions.
According to the petitioners, the tenure of the current executives expired on May 15, 2024, three years after they were sworn in on the same date in 2021.
The petitioners state, “Decisions have been taken without necessary consultation with executive members, violating the principles of transparency and democratic participation enshrined in the statute. There has been abuse of power, including the removal of elected executive council members without due process and restricting members’ freedom of expression. Additionally, the executives have failed to adhere to membership guidelines as provided in Article III, Section 2, particularly when the President and General Secretary were suspended by the general assembly in Pescara on March 26, 2022.”
The petitioners argue that the continued operation of the current executives without new elections undermines the legitimacy, functionality, and credibility of the association.
The protesting members are calling for an extraordinary meeting of the association’s members no later than July 13, 2024, to discuss the immediate dismissal of the current President and Executive Council. They also demand the appointment of an independent electoral committee to oversee new elections, to be held within 60 days. Furthermore, they insist that all future actions by the President and Executive Council adhere strictly to the association’s statute, ensuring transparency, participation, and democracy.
