Crisis rocks NAPPS

By Gabriel Dike

Things have fallen apart and the centre cannot hold in the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS). This is because the once vibrant body is deeply immersed in leadership crisis.
Currently, the association, with over 40,000 members, has two national executives, one in Lagos and one in Abuja. In Lagos, Chief Yomi Otubela is holding sway as second-term national president. In Abuja, Hajia Samira Jibir also lays claim as national president.
Crisis started when some state chapters/members opposed the move by Otubela to amend the constitution and contest for a second term. The move generated ripples among members. The existing constitution of 2017 stipulates one term of four years for all positions.
The crisis came to a head when the two national executives issued different statements and urged members not to join the recent NLC/TUC nationwide strike. The Jibir-led executive first came out to oppose the strike. Otubela also took a similar stand.
Jibir told Daily Sun: “I have the mandate of members nationwide, based on the 2017 constitution of NAPPS, which stipulates four years single term. Otubela has been recalled and suspended by Lagos State NAPPS stakeholders, thus he is ineligible to contest any election.”

My case, by Odubela
Otubela responded: “My re-election as the national president, NAPPS, and other national executive council members during the National Delegates’ Congress on November 22, 2023, was indeed a significant event for our organisation.
“The transparent process of the election, as evidenced by the constitution of the delegates’ congress in line with the provisions of our constitution, press releases, photographs and communiqué issued, underscored our commitment to upholding the principles of democracy and accountability within NAPPS.
“Regarding the self-acclaimed exco, I am aware of the existing legal action taken against the impostors at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos. There is a court order issued on February 20, 2024, instructing both parties to maintain the status quo.
“Despite this court order, it is disheartening that Jibir, Kayode Adeyemi and others have chosen to engage in unauthorised activities by declaring themselves as officers of the association after the issuance of the court order. The court order still remains valid as I write to respond to your questions.
“The process of amending the constitution is provided for in the constitution. For over three years, members called for the amendments of the constitution. A committee was set up to amend the constitution with representatives from each of the six geopolitical zones of the federation.
“There were active participation of BoT members, delegates from the zones, including Samira Jibir and others. The amendment was conducted in accordance with the provisions of NAPPS constitution.
“A delegates’ congress was held on October 23, 2023, in Abuja, Jibir, BoT members and other delegates attended and participated in the process. The resolutions of the congress and the presence of stakeholders during the amendments signified the dedication to enhancing the governance structure of NAPPS.”

Reason for disagreement
Otubela’s words: “It is instructive to say that the complaint raised by Prof. Kurfi Rabiu regarding the illegal removal of his name by Jibir and others from the composition of the BoT with CAC is a matter of grave concern. The NEC’s decision to investigate this complaint is in line with our commitment to upholding the standards of integrity and accountability within NAPPS.
“It is regrettable that this investigation led to discord and discontent among some members, resulting in unauthorised declarations and actions by Jibir and her associates.
“The decision by Jibir and others to declare themselves as national officers, withdraw and deny their support and participation in the amended constitution is unacceptable and undermines the principles of NAPPS.
“Such unlawful activities are a breach of the association’s constitution and code of conduct. The involvement of the police in investigating these matters demonstrates the seriousness of the situation. We are committed to cooperating fully with the authorities to ensure that justice is served.
“The power to suspend national officers lies solely with the National Congress, as stipulated in NAPPS constitution. Any action taken without proper authority is invalid and cannot undermine the established governance structure of NAPPS.
“As the duly elected national president, I have the mandate and support not only from my local government but also from members across the federation to lead the association for the next four years as prescribed in our constitution.
“I assure all members of NAPPS and the public that the NEC remains committed to transparency, fairness and accountability in all our activities. We will continue to uphold the values of our organisation and work towards resolving any conflicts or misunderstandings that may arise.
“National elections of NAPPS took place on November 22, 2023. Before the elections, the national congress, the association’s highest decision-making organ, convened in October 2023 at Cosmopolitan University, Abuja, with 236 delegates, including the BoT chairman and members, to amend and pass sections of the 2017 NAPPS constitution as well as constituted the National Electoral Committee (NECOM) tasked with conducting the national elections.”
Otubela claimed that he and others elected with him got 153 votes out of 236 delegate votes, while the deputy national president, Hajiya Amina Makintani, got 152 votes; national secretary, Augustine Ajibade, returned with 153 votes and others returned unopposed.

Our position, by Jibir, Akinyemi
In their separate reactions, Jibir, national president, and Dr. Kayode Akinyemi, national secretary, insisted that the BoT chairman, Dr. Said Mijinyawa, had nullified the October congress and the decisions taken, including the amendment of the NAPPS constitution.
Jibir, who was elected in February 2024, said: “The constitution that will be amended must be shared for inputs, ratification and discussion.
It is not on the spot affairs. The congress to the best of my knowledge was to give financial reports.
“I am the authentic NAPPS National President. The election that produced me and other national officers were based on the 2017 Constitution. His unit, local government and state chairmen signed and endorsed me for the election.
“Otubela was suspended by NAPPS Lagos State stakeholders in November 2023 for illegally amending the constitution and the removal of BoT member from Lagos State, Prince Sakiru Raji.
“How many days to his tenure expiration was his purported election committee to midwife his election set up? Thirty days instead of 90 days? How many days to the expiration of his tenure did he tampered with the constitution, to allow himself to succeed himself, elongate his tenure and contest again? Thirty days.
“Was his 2023 draft amendments circulated twice to all members according to the 2017 constitution, before his purported congress to replace South West Zonal Executive Council?
“Having been suspended by his state and zone (Lagos and South West), is he qualified to present himself for election? Was he validly nominated, without Lagos State and South West Zonal President endorsement and signature on his nomination form according to the constitution?
“Who did he campaign to and where were his manifesto and posters not available to the electorates, if all his design was not self-succession. Can an election that the electoral committee chairman resigned and gave audio evidence that there was no election be valid?”
Akinyemi said: “The fact of the matter is that Otubela was elected for a single term of four years in accordance with NAPPS Constitution of 2017. When it was one month for the four years to expire, instead of conducting election, Otubela changed the constitution to extend his tenure for another four years.
“It was on this note that he was suspended as a member of NAPPS by Lagos State and South West region, which sent him to the national level. The association constituted a transition committee on the day his tenure expired and a new national election was conducted in February 2024.
“NAPPS is an association of intellectuals and people of high integrity. Like NBA, NMA, NUJ and others, we do not allow selfish individuals to perpetuate themselves in office contrary to our constitution. He can begin to live in self-delusion by engaging in empty noise.
“I don’t know which state and region nominated and voted for him to become president for four another years. Even the chairman of his appointed electoral committee resigned and made an audio statement that there was no election.
“Zonal and BoT meetings were held and communiqué issued against Otubela’s move for second term, which led to his suspension. The BoT was requested to take over the running of the association for a transition period of three months. That led to the election and inauguration of Hajia Samira Jibir-led National Executive Council.
“Otubela’s electoral committee chairman resigned when he discovered the constitutional aberration and that no BoT members, zonal presidents, officers and state chairmen were present at his purported election.
“In a video recording, Otubela’s appointed electoral committee chairman, Jude Idakpo, confirmed that after the BoT meeting and decision to nullify decisions taken at the congress of October 23, 2023 conveyed by Otubela, he resigned from the position and advised members that there would be no election in November 2023.”
A letter dated November 20, 2023, by NAPPS Lagos State chapter addressed to Otubela conveyed his recall and suspension as national president for his failure to comply with BoT directive not to amend the constitution and contest election for another term.
The letter titled: “Recall and suspension of Chief Yomi Otubela,” said: “The BoT decision is based on his personal decisions, which caused major and terrible crisis that is threatening the life of NAPPS and that his recall and suspension is with immediate effect, Tuesday, November 2023.”
President of NAPPS, Lagos State chapter, Lukman Alaka, confirmed Otubela was suspended, thus ineligible to contest any election in NAPPS. He described the claim the by Otubela that the 2017 Constitution was amended, which empowered him to contest for second term as false and illegal.
Tenure of office
The 2017 NAPPS Constitution states: “Except as otherwise provided in this constitution, all national and zonal officers of the association elected into the association organ shall serve in such organ for a period of four years, one term only.
“Except as otherwise provided in this constitution, all officers of the association elected into the association’s organ at the state, local government and unit shall serve in such organ for a period of four year only (provided that an officer elected to fill a vacancy arising from death, resignation, removal, or otherwise shall notwithstanding be eligible for election to the same office for a term not more than four years).”
Section three categorically notes: “No member shall serve in the same office for more than four years except a member of the Board of Trustees or a person who first came to the office by filling a vacancy.”