Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi has ordered a fresh election to be conducted for the Abakaliki Rice Mill Owners Association of Nigeria (ARMOAN) to end its leadership crisis.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abakaliki on Monday by Stephen Odoh, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, and made available to journalists.

Mr Odoh said the governor’s directive was to end the lingering leadership tussle that had rocked the association and to restore peace in the body.

The statement read: “Following the lingering leadership dispute in the Rice Mill Owners Industrial Association of Nigeria, Abakaliki chapter, His Excellency, the governor has directed for an election in the association.

“He has directed that the responsible Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of government should put machineries in motion to ensure that a free, fair, and credible election is organised to usher in a democratically elected leadership for the Rice Mill Owners Association.

“A competent and unbiased nine-man Screening Committee has been set up to screen both the prospective aspirants to the leadership positions of the Association and the voting members in line with the relevant provisions of the association’s Constitution.

“The screening shall hold on Tuesday, May 3, at the secretariat hall of the association by 10 am.”

Mr Odoh, who is chairman of the electoral committee, stated that the election would hold on Wednesday, May 4, at the Pa Oruta Ngele Township Stadium, Abakaliki by 9:00 a.m.

“Aspirants and members of the association are hereby directed to cooperate with the committee and participate fully in the above processes to ensure the enthronement of a credible leadership for the association.

“Assurance is hereby given that the entire process will be free, fair, credible and in full compliance with the constitution of the association,” the statement added.

(NAN)