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By Damiete Braide
The Lagos chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) has elected a new executive to steer its affairs for the next two years, with Dr Taofeek Olatunbosun returning as Chairman after securing 53 votes in the chapter’s 2026 election.
The election, which took place in two phases, featured online voting on Thursday and Friday, followed by a physical poll on Saturday, September 19, at the Herbert Macaulay Library, 338 Sabo-Yaba, Lagos.
More than 26 members attended the physical exercise, which brought together prominent members of the association, including former National Secretary, Mr Mature Tanko Okoduwa; pioneer Chairman of ANA Lagos, Dr Tolu Ajayi; Mr Dagga Tola; Mr Eriata Oribhabor; and Mr Ifeanyichukwu Avajah.
The election was conducted by an Electoral Committee chaired by Mr Yemi Adebiyi, with Mr Eluwa Chijioba and Dr Mary-Joan Nwagwu as members.
Olatunbosun, who was first elected chairman in 2024, emerged unopposed to begin another two-year tenure. His return was accompanied by the election of Mrs Deborah Omoaregba as Vice Chairman, Amarachukwu Chika-Stevens as Secretary, Barrister Ebuzhafe Ogunsanya as Legal Adviser and Yohanna Joseph Waliya as Public Relations Officer.
Omoaregba polled 32 votes to defeat Adetutu Solape, who secured 26 votes, while Mrs Ndidi Chiazor-Enemuo withdrew from the contest. Chika-Stevens emerged Secretary after her opponent, Olaoluwa Oluwarinde, withdrew from the race. Ogunsanya and Waliya were elected unopposed. However, the positions of Assistant Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer and two Ex-Officio positions remain vacant.
The election also received the attention of the national leadership of ANA, with the Acting National General Secretary, Mr Wole Adedoyin, representing the National Executive Council as observer.
Adedoyin conveyed a message from the National President, Dr Usman Oladipo Akanbi, who congratulated ANA Lagos on the conclusion of the electoral process.
Akanbi urged members, contestants and their supporters to approach the process with maturity, discipline and mutual respect, stressing the need to preserve the fellowship, unity, dignity and institutional integrity of the Lagos chapter despite differences that might have emerged during the election.
He also reaffirmed the commitment of the National Executive Council to an orderly, transparent and credible electoral process and encouraged members to cooperate with the Electoral Committee and the national observer.
The physical election ended peacefully, providing an opportunity for the chapter to move beyond the contest and focus on its literary and professional responsibilities.
In his acceptance message, Olatunbosun thanked members for renewing their confidence in him and the new executive, describing the mandate as a renewed responsibility rather than a personal victory.
He acknowledged members who participated in both the online and physical voting, as well as those who supported, advised, questioned or contributed to the process in different ways.
According to him, the conclusion of the election should mark the beginning of a new phase for ANA Lagos.
He called on members to put their differences behind them, insisting that the chapter should no longer be divided by the choices made during the election.
“We are members of one Association, one Chapter, and one literary community,” he said, extending what he described as a hand of fellowship to members who may have supported other candidates.
Olatunbosun said the strength of ANA Lagos would depend not on one individual or executive but on the ability of members to combine their different experiences, ideas, talents and perspectives.
He identified strengthening membership, improving literary programmes, preserving writers’ works, developing sustainable projects and creating greater opportunities for members as some of the priorities for the new administration.
The chairman also invited members to contribute constructive ideas and criticism, saying challenges should be confronted collectively while opportunities should be seized for the benefit of the chapter.
“ANA Lagos belongs to all of us,” he said, adding that the achievements of the chapter should be regarded as collective achievements and its challenges as a shared responsibility.
He expressed the hope that the next two years would be characterised by collective work, reconciliation, consolidation and development.
Omoaregba, the newly elected Vice Chairman, also struck a conciliatory note in her acceptance message, attributing her emergence to the grace of God and appreciating members for their support and goodwill.
She thanked both those who voted for her and those who supported other candidates, stressing that the election should not create divisions among members.
“The work begins,” she declared, adding that her emergence was not about victory over anyone but “victory for ANA Lagos.”
Omoaregba called for unity, service and a shared commitment to moving the chapter forward, assuring members that greater achievements could be recorded when they worked together.
The newly elected Public Relations Officer, Waliya, meanwhile, pledged to strengthen communication between the executive and members while increasing the visibility of ANA Lagos and its literary activities.
He said the office would promote members’ achievements and publications, strengthen relationships with the media and wider literary community, improve the chapter’s digital presence and ensure timely dissemination of information on programmes, opportunities, publications and other activities.
With the election concluded, attention now shifts to the new executive and its ability to translate its renewed mandate into concrete programmes for writers and the wider literary community.
For ANA Lagos, the message from the new leadership is clear: the contest is over, and the work of building a stronger, more united and vibrant literary chapter has begun.
