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By Yemi Bankole
Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi leads the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Africa’s largest and probably most influential body of writers.
The Agricultural Economist and multi-talented literary artist, with accomplishments in different genres of literature, was elected the National President at the association’s annual convention in Abuja last November.
Though there was no throwing of chairs or court injunction to challenge his emergence, as with his predecessor, Camillus Ukah’s, Akanbi’s election nevertheless had its fair share of controversy. His opponents protested the election was rigged in his favour by the erstwhile President, locked in battle with some members of his executive who sought reelection into the exco.
The group was led by the former President’s deputy, Hajiya Farida Mohammed, a lecturer and Akanbi’s main rival at the ballot!
The aggrieved exco members accused Ukah of high-handedness and unilateral actions among sundry allegations, alleging that he wanted to impose Akanbi as his successor to cover up his ‘sins’.
The new ANA leader thus walked to the throne on threadbare carpet strewn with pebbles and swirling dust of serious credibility questions.
For the scion of the late Chief Justice of the Court of Appeal and reputed incorruptible jurist, Justice Mustapha Akanbi, life could probably serve no greater irony or embarrassment.
The case was apparently worsened by the fact that Usman, also fondly called ‘S.O.’ was a member of a mediation committee raised by the organization to broker peace and reconcile various feuding factions which arose as fallout of infighting and split over the disputed elections of national officers in 2015.
The panel was yet to conclude its assignment when another storm broke resulting in the rift between Ukah and members of his cabinet ahead of last year’s national election!
With Ukah purportedly sponsoring his presidential bid, it was no surprise that the University of Ilorin don ended up being sucked in and became part and parcel of the conflict and crisis he was meant to help resolve.
As it were, the new helmsman faces a herculean challenge: How to allay mistrust and suspicion he inherited and unite the entire writers’ group’s membership behind him to move it forward along his charming campaign promises.
Brilliance and integrity are astute traits said to run in the Akanbi clan. The family’s patriarch had established a reputation as an erudite, incorruptible and impartial judge and public officer both on the bench and when he served as pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
His brood Including the erstwhile Vice Chancellor of Kwara State University, and professor of Law, Prof. Muhammad Mustapha Olaroungbe Akanbi, SAN, seem to have kept up the honour of this noble pedigree by not only attaining the zenith of their careers but also remaining scandal-free.
Usman, in particular, in looks, mien and conduct in public and leadership positions he has so far held, appears a chip of the old block.
Those who know him say the soft-spoken, reserved and almost shy ANA President combines a rare humility with a sense of justice, purpose, dynamism and firmness a great leader requires to achieve set goals.
These qualities, belied by his unassuming and self-effacing nature, are, according to a source, Akanbi’s strength and the source of his charisma which opponents underestimate.
The peace that has largely reigned within the writers’ body since the initial uproar that greeted his election owes, apart from the tension-dousing and mediation by the elders of the union, largely to the new President putting these qualities into action in his rapprochement- seeking bid, insiders say.
Ask the ANA President himself how he interprets his role as an arbiter placed in the midst of the conflict as a leader now?
He is quick to clarify that, his membership of the ANA Peace Committee established four years ago to address deep-rooted issues and foster unity does not negate his right to vie for the Presidency or any office of the organization.
He admits that while significant progress has been achieved in reconciling a substantial proportion of ANA members, attaining complete unity and consensus still remains unfinished business.
Bur Akanbi reckons that the aftermath of the recent ANA election may stem from the inclination of those in power to perpetuate themselves – a tendency, he observes, ANA Congress has consistently opposed.
He dismisses attempt to discredit the poll by those who lost out in the exercise as baseless, observing that it is not a phenomenon peculiar to ANA but common in various organizations.
“Normally, I wouldn’t feel compelled to respond to the presumption that I am considered Camillus’ stooge,” Akanbi says, “however, if such an insinuation has indeed been made, it is quite unfortunate that it allegedly comes from individuals who have directly collaborated with him. My direct association with Camillus is limited to the ANA Peace Committee, and I find it perplexing that those who have previously commended me for providing a meeting space and other forms of support to ANA NEC over a decade are now casting doubt.
“Winning an election with notable support from states like Rivers, Benue, Niger, Oyo, Osun, Kaduna, Bayelsa, Edo. Ondo, Kogi, and the majority of the South-eastern states, including my home state, Kwara, was a result of widespread backing. It seems illogical to label everyone who voted from those states as stooges. Accusations of this nature are not unprecedented; even Mr. Camillus and his entire team in the last executive committee faced similar accusations of being Mallam Abdullahi Denja’s stooges and, by extension, predecessors of the association’s presidents. As the Yoruba saying goes, “ko s’oro n’be’ – there’s no point there!”
Although he is reluctant to discuss the fallout of the polls “to avoid pricking old wounds and in order not to jeopardise ongoing reconciliation efforts”, Akanbi is reported to have said in an interview elsewhere that the critics’ allegations hold no water.
His victory was alleged to be flawed due to perceived over voting among other complaints which purported to erode the credibility of the election.
But in the interview, the ANA helmsman clears the air on what actually happened at ANA’s national secretariat, Mamman Vatsa Writers Village, Mpape, Abuja, venue of the event.
His words:
“During the election, it was evident that there were two distinct camps led by myself and my opponent, each with their respective teams. While my team had a full complement, my opponent’s team struggled to field candidates for about three positions. Regrettably, the ballot papers used were unmarked plain white sheets, providing an opportunity for some of my opponent’s supporters to fill in “president” as a substitute for positions where they had no candidates. This action inflated the combined votes of the presidential candidates by 16 votes. Nevertheless, even after subtracting these 16 votes from the total cast in my favour, I maintained a considerable lead over my opponents.
Despite the favorable outlook for my emergence before the elections, some of my opponent’s supporters attempted to impede the election. Thankfully, through divine intervention, the convention not only proceeded but also resulted in my victory. The spontaneous jubilation that ensued upon my emergence reflected the widespread support for my candidacy. I am pleased that the majority of those who did not win in the election accepted the outcome gracefully and have moved forward. Unlike the legal challenges that arose after the 2019 elections, primarily initiated by some members of the Abuja chapter, this election concluded with minimal acrimony. It is widely acknowledged that the election substantially adhered to the association’s constitution. Undoubtedly, it marks a new era for ANA!
A former officer who contested but lost the election had, like some others, also opposed a membership validation exercise carried out before the election , alleging that it was targetted at subverting the electoral interests of those opposed to the former President, Ukah’s leadership.
But an Akanbi partisan describes the allegation as false, mischievous and disingenuous. Contrary to the allegation, he says, the measure was rather to sanitize and enhance the credibility of the election by ensuring that only bona-fide members voted.
This has effectively eliminated situations as in the past in which non-members were smuggled in as delegates to vote or cause chaos and thus disrupt the process.
The new President’s supporter says the aggrieved national officer’s claim that his name was missing on the membership/delegates list in spite of being a contestant, was calculated at embarrassing the ANA leadership and discrediting the poll. According to him, the officer in question, had opposed and refused to submit himself to the membership verification drive while it lasted. In spite of his rebellion, the source says, the officer was still accredited and allowed to participate based on personal recognition and his antecedents as an active ANA officer who worked tirelessly for ANA and is in the forefront of promoting literary arts.
Reacting to the propaganda campaign against him, Dr. Akanbi sees his ordeal as similar to that of his late father, who, despite his public record of service without blemish, unknown to many people, also faced detractors who attempted to tarnish his name, but triumphed due to his forthright and consistent personality. “His autobiography makes allusions to such incidents, and I encourage you to explore a copy for further insights,” Akanbi tells this reporter.
“Having worked in various places and maintained a history of forthrightness, my background is also open to investigation from my former workplaces… As a member of Kwara ANA for almost 20 years, the chapter serves as a veritable source to investigate my past antecedents.
The ANA boss is eager to rather talk about his plans for ANA and strategy to navigate the organization’s perennial turbulence. This, he discloses involves prioritizing open communication, implementing a robust conflict resolution mechanism, and establishing clear objectives that unite members. “I intend to champion inclusive leadership, encouraging diverse perspectives in decision-making. To enhance members’ skills, professional development programs will be instituted, while a positive organizational culture emphasizing collaboration and respect will be cultivated. Key components of my plan include reviewing and updating the constitution, improving public relations, and empowering local chapters. By celebrating literary achievements and emphasizing shared goals, my aim is to shift the focus from internal conflicts to collective accomplishments, fostering a more harmonious and productive environment within ANA.
“ANA has advanced under the leadership of its last two presidents, Denja and Camilus, and we aim to continue this positive momentum without any setbacks. Acknowledging that there are still areas of concern, we are actively addressing them through silent efforts, as reflected in my messages emphasizing inclusivity, openness, reconciliation, and unity.
The ANA Chief debunks the purported existence of an unwritten pact for the office of ANA President to be rotated between the North and Southern zone of the country. According to critics, this allegedly made him ineligible, being Yoruba although from Kwara.
His major opponent, Hajiya Mohammed, touted as the candidate of northern delegates , hails from Niger State.
But Akanbi, a former President of the University of Ilorin Students Union President, debunks the claim: “If such a pact had always been in existence, Oyo Chapter would not have produced four out of thirteen ANA Presidents: Prof. Kole Omotosho, Prof. Femi Osofisan, Dr. Wale Okediran, and Prof. Remi Raji. Perhaps this presumed unwritten agreement is the source of the issues we are currently grappling with in ANA. In 2015, Abdullahi Denja and B. M. Dzukogi competed against each other, with Denja emerging as the winner. Again, in 2019, Ahmed Maiwada and Camilus contested, and I am not certain anyone took notice of such an alleged pact.
Abubakar Gimba was the first person from the North to contest, followed by individuals like Olu Obafemi, Jerry Agada, and Denja. It is puzzling that only now, when Farida and I contested, someone is raising concerns about the so-called core North. According to the ANA constitution, if I, Akanbi, belong to Sokoto Chapter, I still qualify to contest for the position of President, even considering the fact that I bear a Yoruba name! The state of origin is not the determining factor; rather, it is the chapter to which one belongs. Importantly, the consideration for holding a position is essentially based on contributions to the growth of the creative arts and, by implication, ANA. What places me in a vantage position is not whether I am from the so-called core North or core South, but my level of contribution to the association.”
And indeed, the ANA boss has a string of achievements and contributions he has made towards developing the literary arts and the association.
Besides being a former Chairman of the Kwara State branch of ANA, Dr. Akanbi is a prolific author with published works in poetry, drama, fiction, non-fiction and even autobiographical fields.
He also founded the Imodoye Writers Residency in Ilorin which offers writers from across the globe a chance to fellowship, learn and work on their various endeavours in a conducive ambience.
The ANA Presidency is a job Akanbi has evidently always longed for. How prepared is he for the task and now that he has got it, what difference does he expect to make?
The ANA President enthusiastically points this reporter’s attention to his vast experience in the public and private sectors of the economy, twenty-five-year affiliation with ANA, including roles in the Niger, Lagos, and Kwara chapters, along with serving as the chairman of the Kwara chapter. He is confident that these credentials will help him make significant mark in strengthening the association.
Says the ANA new helmsman who is also currently the Head of Department of Agricultural Economics, UNILORIN: “My primary focus as the national president will be to enhance and expand the Mamman Vatsa’s Writers’ Village, thereby advancing the association and its writers. I propose implementing comprehensive literary programs, encompassing regular workshops, seminars, and residencies featuring acclaimed authors and literary experts. These initiatives are designed to provide ANA members with ample opportunities for skill development, networking, and mentorship.
With Akanbi’s track record of administrative acumen, achievements, passion for and contributions to the development of the arts, there is hope ANA is in the right hands for the leap to the next envisioned level.
But that, critics would add, depends on how far Akanbi succeeds with his people in exorcising the incubus of disunity threatening to tear the association apart.