Leadership crisis rocking the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), deepens further as the Edo State chapter of the senior members of the union have affirmed their loyalty and support to the Tony Okoroji-led governing board of the body.
The senior members, who made the disclosure at a press conference in Benin City on Monday, however disowned the appointment of the Efe Omorogbe-led executives.
Some of the senior members of the organisation in the state that attended the press conference are Omo Osula, the Arala of Benin, Joseph Osayomore, Roland Igbinigie, aka Akabaman, Raphael Ehis Oboh, aka Oligbese 4sale, Tony Okate, Fabomo Edoloyi, among others.
Omo Osula, who addressed the press conference, advised the said Omorogbe to stop parading himself as the chairman of the union.
The elders, who also threatened to drag the said Omorogbe before the palace of the Oba of Benin, urged him to desist from being used as an instrument of destabilisation.
When contacted on phone, Efe Omorogbe said the members were merely expressing their opinion.
According to Osula, “We are embarrassed by your behaviour and hereby denounce your unwholesome activities targeted at destroying the unsurpassed respect associated with COSON.
“You are shocked that despite our clear democratic choice of Tony Okoroji as COSON chairman at the said enlarged general meeting chaired by our very own internationally respected music icon, Professor (Sir), Victor Uwaifo, you have mischievously and fraudulently continued to parade yourself as chairman of COSON. Your behaviour is contrary to the norms and culture of the great people of Edo state.
“We warn that if you continue to allow yourself to be used to destabilise COSON, an organisation which we are very proud of and which is catering for our needs, we may have no choice but to drag you before the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare 11, so that you can be called to order with appropriate sanctions imposed on you for the show of shame and the conduct that negates the value, norms and culture of our great people and the creative community in general,” he said.
He posited that the support of the Edo State chapter to the leadership of Tony Okoroji was occasioned being a detribalised Nigerian whose contributions to the music industry had been positively felt by the union in the state.
“You will recall that just a few days after Chief Tony Okoroji was restored as chairman of COSON, he once again visited us in Benin City and we organised a church service and several receptions in his honour. Tony Okoroji has proven to us that he is a true leader. This is to the extent that the presence, support and co-tribute ones of the likes of Chief Tony Okoroji, a detribalised Nigerians, is more felt by us in Edo State. Even though, you are our son, your contribution is nowhere to be seen,” he said.
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