Ahead of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) elections of national executive members tonight at Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, the aviation industry and workers are in high expectations of who emerges as the next President of the most senior union body in the industry.

The dramatis personae for election into the office of National President are Comrade Ahmadu Illitrus of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Comrade Ahmed Danjuma of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), both of who are holding senior management positions in the two agencies.

Other aspirants vying for executive positions at tonight’s poll include Comrades Emmanuel Jaja, Adekoya Olasupo Adegbola, Olaonipekun Olaniran and Tijani Ademola who are all gunning for the 1st two National Deputy President positions.

Equally, for the 2 National Vice President seats, the quadruple of Ayegbusi Olajide, Akingbogu Adekoya, Anthony Ogbuji and the only female contestant, Vera Egbukichi will slug it out to see those who clinched the posts.

The rest positions are national treasurer, national auditor, financial secretary, national woman leader as well as national trustee and ex-officios.

Meanwhile, campaigning for the various national executive positions hots up ahead of tonight’s election in Ijebu-Ode where the union members, sister union officials, electoral committee officials and election monitors converged for the ATSSSAN 3rd Quadrennial National Delegates Conference.

The presence of the large contingent of aviation workforce top discussions among indigenes of the ancient town who described the event as one that has positively impacted the economy of the town as virtually all the hotels in Ijebu-Ode have been fully booked by ATSSSAN for their delegates from across Nigeria.

The election fever heightens as both Presidential candidates and their foot soldiers embark on their last minute campaign activities by visiting electorates in their hotels around Ijebu-Ode with their campaign manifestos.

The two Presidential candidates in their last minute campaign promises are giving mouth watering pledges and deals to all the electorates and aviation workers.

In his manifesto, incumbent President, Comrade Illitrus said he is coming to consolidate on the massive achievements his administration has put in place in the last 4 years plus.

According to Illitrus, his administration has done a lot in most aspects of the workers welfare.

He said “you will be shocked to know that we have signed a record condition of service in the life of ATSSSAN within this period despite the challenges of COVID19. There were some of our affiliates that had no severance benefits in the last 10 years. No improvements on their CoS. We made promises to them which we achieved. We have signed in Arik Air, NCAT, SAHCO, Bi-Courtney, NCAA and others. I can go on and on, on the issue of the welfare of our members.

On debt settlements, Illitrus noted that his administration inherited N25 million liability with lots of staff issues unresolved.

He however, informed that “We have paid the debts as at today and we have resolved all the issues at our staff secretariat. We equally inherited the entitlement of two sessions of the National administrative officers that were left unpaid. We have paid the entitlement for the National officers for the last 4 years. If I leave ATSSSAN today, I am leaving free of all liabilities”.

Affirming his chances to return to the office, the President said “I will be elected because my work speaks for me. Our people have seen what we have done and we have always run an all inclusive government. We will heal the wounds post election.”

In the same vein, Comrade Ahmed stated categorically that he has a 5 point agenda for aviation workers, if elected as the national President.

Listing the 5 point agenda, Ahmed pledged installation of democracy in ATSSSAN; Capacity building/training of members; rejuvenation/strengthening of ATSSSAN national secretariat; teamwork and restoration of ATSSSAN glory.

Ahmed also promised to strengthen all the branches in such a manner that they have a say on issues.

He said “It is our belief that if we democratise ATSSSAN, where issues of branches are taken seriously. We will go a long way in making a better ATSSSAN”.

He promised that all branches will be carried when issues concerning them are brought for settlements, just as he assured that his leadership will listen to superior arguments at all times.

“We want to rejuvenate and strengthen our national secretariat. ATSSSAN members are not happy how ATSSSAN is being run at the secretariat level. There are branches and units that are not given the opportunity to function.

” We need to bring back the glory that ATSSSAN is known for in the industry. ATSSSAN has lost focus over this period. It is no longer the same. We need to bring back the strength the union has”.

He promised to use dialogue, engagement and interactive measures to solve issues whenever any arises in any of their branches,adding that no leader can achieve success in isolation

Coincidentally, at exactly 11.08pm on January 27, 2017, the incumbent President, Comrade Ahmadu Ilitrus was declared the national President of the Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) after pulling 61 votes to beat his closest rival, comrade Chukwu Emmanuel here in Ijebu-Ode.