The serene town of Ijebu-ode of Ogun state, south-west Nigeria is now a beehive of activities as the Nigeria aviation industry has temporarily relocated there for an election to produce the next president and other expo members of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN).
Contestants and delegates are said to have arrived the town for the election 2nd Quadrennial National Delegates Conference ahead of the election for the new exco slated for Friday 27th.
Others are observers, union members and other affiliate bodies, media, representatives of the minister of state, aviation and heads of agencies.
Security officials are said to be on ground to ensure law and order during and after the election.
The contenders for the president seat are Comrades Ahmadu llitrus and Chukwu Emmanuel, both from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), alongside 14 other aspirants vying for the positions of first and second Deputy Presidents, first and second Vice Presidents, national treasurer, financial secretary, women leader, auditors, ex-officios and trustees of ATSSSAN.
A group, The Reconsolidated Fortified New ATSSSAN Leadership investigation show is bank rolling the emergence of the Plateau born legal expert to head the aviation industry most vibrant union body.
The group, sources at various meetings held in Lagos and ljebu-Ode ahead of the election said that llitrus and other contestants in the Reconsolidated Fortified team are seen as a formidable team that can take ATSSSAN to the next level.
Other members of the group as gathered by investigation include Mrs Sarah Rimdans and Mr. Emmanuel Jaja, who are both vying for the two slots of Deputy Presidents, Akingbokun Oludayisi and Olanipekun Olaniran gunning for the two vice president positions, Onoja Pius as financial secretary, Kenneth Obiakor is contesting as National Treasurer and Oge Okpanya is rooting to emerge as National Women leader.
The rest of team include Augustine Ohaka and Benedict, Anyasi Hilda running for the two auditor posts alongside 3 trustee members and two ex-officio.
Further findings showed that the llitrus team will sweep all the 14 positions they are currently aiming for as all potential opponents has either withdrawn from the race or outrightly endorsed their candidature having seen the hand writings on the wall.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chukwu Emmanuel is said to have express optimism of emerging the next President as both Presidential candidates make last minutes appeal to delegates from across Nigeria to vote them into office.
A frontline member of Comrade Chukwu’s campaign team told our reporter that Chukwu will spring the greatest surprise at the end of the elections. The campaign strategist confidently disclosed that he, Chukwu is the “Voice of the people” affirming that his election is a done deal.
However, there are fears in some quaters that what played out during the last election is Asaba which led to the election of the out-going president , ATSSSAN, comrade Benjamin Okewu many years ago may also play out in the election taking place tomorrow .
In a separate interviews, both candidates for the presidency, comrades Illitrus Ahamadu and Chukwu Emmanuel have assured that they would play the game according to the rules, adding that the interest and welfare of the staff is priority.
