By Awwal Umar Kontagora As preparations intensify for the forthcoming National Congress of the Nigeria Union of Mines Workers (N...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
As preparations intensify for the forthcoming National Congress of the Nigeria Union of Mines Workers (NUMW), tensions have emerged among stakeholders over efforts to secure a consensus candidate for the union’s national presidency.
A source told our correspondent that some stakeholders had been working to persuade other candidates to withdraw from the contest in an effort to avoid division among members.
However, the move reportedly failed to achieve the desired outcome following meetings of the National Administrative Council (NAC) and the National Executive Council (NEC) held at the union’s headquarters in Abuja.
The meetings were said to have been marked by disagreements between NEC members and those pushing for candidates to withdraw in favour of a single candidate.
As tensions rose during the deliberations, the parties were reportedly advised to return to their respective constituencies for further consultations.
Reacting to the development, Comrade Abdul-Azeez Mohammed She, Chairman of NUMW in Shiroro Local Government Area and leader of the union’s 25 local government chairmen in Niger State, said they were not aware of any decision by their candidate, Comrade Musa Adamu Nasko, to withdraw from the contest.
He said the leaders of the 25 local government areas had mobilised funds from their members and paid into the electoral committee’s account to obtain the nomination form for Nasko to contest for the position of National President.
According to him, Nasko’s track record of working with traditional rulers, security agencies, landowners and the Niger State Government was among the reasons members believed he was best positioned to lead the union and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s mining industry.
“Those calling for Comrade Nasko to withdraw should reconsider their position because we have a vision that we want to bring to the mining industry, and we are confident that everyone will benefit from it,” he said.
She said his extensive involvement in the mining sector had given him a clear understanding of the challenges facing miners and the importance of collaboration among stakeholders.
He added that the union in Niger State had maintained cordial relationships with relevant stakeholders, stressing that members had confidence in Nasko’s leadership.
“Today, Kebbi State wants to work with Nasko’s leadership, the people of Kaduna need Comrade Musa Adamu Nasko, and we, the miners of this country, need him,” he said.
The NUMW leader argued that if other groups had previously been given the opportunity to lead the union, members from Niger State should also be allowed to pursue their ambition through a democratic process.
He stressed that the union was an independent organisation whose leadership should be determined by its members rather than through external pressure or arrangements imposed in the name of development.
“We, the miners of Niger State, are not going to back down from this resolution. We are going to vote. If Comrade Musa Adamu Nasko agrees to withdraw because of these pressures, I will lead our people to court,” he said.
She insisted that the group was prepared for the election and would accept the outcome if Nasko lost.
“We want to go for the election. If we lose, we will accept the outcome, but for now, Nasko will not withdraw for anybody,” he said.
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