The board of trustees, BOT of Imo Newspaper Publishers Association (INPA) over the week waded into the tenure elongation crisis rocking the union, following the failure of Hon Henry Ekpe-led executive to conduct election before the expiration of it’s tenure in February 2021.
A release dated August 28, 2021, signed by High Chief Bright Njoku, Publisher of Nigeria Horn Newspaper and Elder Lambert Ojukwu, Publisher of Nigeria Newspoint Newspaper as Chairman and Secretary of INPA respectively, said, “the attention of the BOT of Imo Newspapers Publisher Association (INPA) has been drawn to the dangerous degeneration of peace in the Union in recent time over the forthcoming INPA election originally scheduled for 18 September, 2021. However, in order to save the soul of the noble union, the BOT met and resolved as follows:
“INPA being a noble union of entrepreneurs was formed to protect the interest and wellbeing of its members and not for playing politics.
“INPA is not a political union and therefore does not encourage politicization of its operations. Though individual members are free to belong to political parties their choice.
“The BOT sadly discovered that the tenure of Hon. Chief Henry Ekpe led executive has long expired since February, 2021. To this end therefore, any action or decision taken by Hon Chief Henry Ekpe executive with effect from 1st March 2021 remains illegal and should be seen as null and void and of no effect whatsoever. it is important to note that this decision is predicated upon the genuine intention of the BOT to guide and protect the peace, unity and wellbeing of the union and also guard it against avoidable litigation.
“The BOT will therefore in due time convene meeting of all members to communicate them on the way forward in line with the extant laws the INPA constitution, finally, we therefore appeal to all members to remain calm.”
