Ashaolu emerges as ANTP National President

Ashaolu

After more than three years of legal tussle between the top members of the Association of Nigeria Theatre-Arts Practitioners (ANTP), veteran actor, Comrade (Dr.) Victor Ashaolu, has emerged as the association’s National President.

 At the ANTP’s fourth  Quadrennial Delegates conference held on Friday, July 11, 2014, at Orange Hotels, Bolorunduro, Ilesa,Osun State, Ashaolu and others began their first term in office till July 2018.

A statement made available to Daily Newswatch by Mr. Kayode Hamzat revealed that “the delegates at the ANTP Conference revisited all the period spent on the court case(s), - almost three and half years before Ashaolu emerged victorious on  January 30, 2014 at the Ibadan High Court 3, before Justice M.O. Bolaji Yusuf, hence it was resolved and approved that the period should be regarded as crises and transition period, and that all officers of the association should be regarded just starting the first term in office from Local Government Chapters to the National level, which shall end in July, 2018.

“The delegates also approved the results of all elections held in the Local Governments, Zonal and States chapters, such as Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Kwara and Federal Capital Territory (Abuja). Also, the elections in the five states chapters above were approved as submitted by Elder Kamoru Aremu led National and State Electoral Committees.

According to the statement: “The delegates in the conference approved the following under listed names as nominated and adopted by the entire delegates with their positions in the ANTP Board of the Incorporated Trustees – Chief Lere Paimo (MFR) Chairman,  Dr. Yemi Faroumbi member/patron, Chief  Jimoh Aliu  (MFR) as member,  Dr. Akintunde Ayeni  (YEM-KEM) as member/ patron,  Chief (Mrs.) Olagunju Heritage as member, Comrade Dr. Victor Ashaolu as Trustee’s Secretary and any incumbent National President as member (when in office).

“The delegates at the conference resolved to give directives to the National president and the NEC to see to the immediate conduct of all outstanding elections in these states - Ekiti, Kogi, Oyo and Ondo States, on or before October 31, 2014.

“Consequent upon the vacant positions at the National level after the September 2010 election at Ilorin, Kwara State, a re-run election was held and the following people were elected  and confirmed by the delegates at the conference into the following positions:-

-        Comrade (Dr.) Victor Ashaolu as National President

-        Alhaji Mustapha Eletu as National Deputy President

-        Alhaji Yahaya Adetunji as National Vice president (South) yet to confirm

-        Alfa Yisa Alabi Olorunoje as National Vice President (North)

-        Najeem Adio Tijani as National General Secretary

-        Mr. Isaac Ajidaun as Asstistant National general Secretary

-        Mrs. Abiola Ayeni Adejumo as National Treasurer

-        Mr. Tawab Fatola as National Financial Secretary

-        Miss Atinuke D. Akindele as National Publicity Secretary

-        Mr. Bakare Shittu as National Welfare Secretary 1 (Male)

-        Mrs. Yinka Adeleke as National Welfare Secretary 2 (Female)

-        Mr. Elijah Afolayan as National Chief Whip 1 (Male)

-        Mrs. Esther Akinola –Omidiran as National Chief Whip 2 (Female)

-        Comrade Ibrahim M. Yahaya as National Auditor

-        Mr. Abiodun Rufai (Odua) as National ex-officio 1

“The delegates at the conference however refer the issue of the National Vice-President South (Alhaji Yahaya Adetunji) to the newly elected and confirmed National Executive Council (NEC) of the Association for confirmation, or rejection, since the person in that position has refused to comply with all the National Electoral committee directives as instructed and directed by NEC for final decision.

“Also, all other three (3) remaining vacant positions (National Organising Secretary, National Ex-officio II and III) should be filled within the next three months as stipulated in the newly reviewed and amended 2014 ANTP constitution, the delegates approved.

“Before bringing the conference to a close, the delegates resolved that the next National Quadrennial Conference of the association should come up between July and September 2018 at a venue to be fixed by the NEC at appropriate time.

“The delegates at the conference gave a standing ovation to the National President (Victor Ashaolu) for all his past efforts in moving the Association forward.”