The general congress of Rivers State chapter of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, PMAN has unanimously voted to remove the chairman of the Electoral Committee (ELECO) of the body in the state, Mr. Boggy-Say Pepple with immediate effect. Also removed is the secretary of the ELECO, Uncle Annie.
This decision was taken in a meeting held at Mathai Royale Club, 6 Afikpo Street, Rumuomasi, Port Harcourt on Monday March 4, 2013.
The congress is said to have accused Mr. Boggy-Say Pepple and the ELECO secretary of gross misconduct, fraud, highhandedness and insincerity to the responsibilities expected of their offices.
A contestant in the on-going transition process, Mr. Israel Pikibo Dickson (JP) accused the sacked ELECO chairman of defrauding him of N15,000 by selling a form for the office of PRO that was officially put at N10,000 at the cost of N25,000 and moved for his removal. This was immediately seconded by G-clef and the house agreed on it.
Other members present accused Boggy-say and his secretary of subverting the responsibilities of the committee by indulging in extra-official matters. One of which they said is the issue of pursuing personal agenda instead of the responsibilities entrusted on them.
Another allegation against Boggy-say is his penchant for power, which they said made him to postpone the election three times.
An ELECO member, Mr. Gbenga Olowu corroborated these allegations when he publicly stated that the sacked ELECO chairman was acted with impunity, arrogated power to himself and made himself a dictator without consulting all others on the Eleco committee.
In a chat with another ELECO member, Alanengi Blessing, he confirmed that the removal of Mr. Boggy-say Pepple and Uncle Annie as chairman and secretary of ELECO stands, since it is the overwhelming decision of the congress.
He went on to assure everyone that the decision of the congress is binding on the ELECO to produce a new ELECO chairman and secretary on Friday and hold a free and fair election next Monday, March 11, 2013.
Over 200 musicians in the state were in attendance. This included all the 15 units of the body approved by the ELECO for the election. Five of the seven original ELECO members were present, including Gbenga Olowo, Blessing, Onochie Ikechukwu, Chinedu Chukwu and Emmanuel Charles (aka Emma Whyte).
In a telephone chart with our correspondent, Mr. Boggy-say denied every allegation leveled against him, describing them as false. He maintained that the move was a grand plan to tarnish is good image in the state and beyond.###
