ANLCA Lagos Airport Chapter Agog As Tope Akindele Reclaims Mandate, Becomes Chairman After 7-Years Battle

By DAPO OLAWUNI

Peace and tranquility has finally returned to the Lagos Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) as Mr Tope Akindele, popularly known as “Ijoba” on Tuesday 7th October reclaimed his mandate as the authentic chairman of the Chapter after a 7-years fierce battle for the soul of the Chapter with two other gladiators.

DAILY TREND correspondent who visited the Chapter on Tuesday reported that there was large gathering of ANLCA members dancing, singing and rejoicing that their well loved and respected Chairman has finally taken the mantle of leadership.

Recall that Akindele had for seven years battled former Chairmen of the Chapter, Prince Adewusi Bamgbala, and recently, Prince Bola Ashiru. The power tussle at the chapter was so tough that the Police had to shutdown the secretariat for several months.

Speaking with our correspondent amidst the rejoicing and merriment on Tuesday, Tope Akindele said “The whole journey started December 19th, 2018, if i have to count the date, month and years now, it is almost a 7-years journey that came to conclusion today, dated 7th October 2025, it’s a glorious day indeed.

“I will continue to thank the NECOM headed by Mr President and others, and the Board of Trustees, led by Alhaji Taiwo Mustapha and other elected executives of the board, the Western Zonal Coordinator, Alhaji Femi Anifowose and all ANLCA members, they stood with me for seven years, they never left me, both day and night, they did all that needed to be done until we achieved success today

“The ANLCA Constitution of 2013 as amended states that, provided you are a member of this association, everyone, no matter your status, must be subjected to the Constitution. Before you can occupy an office in this association, you must first be elected and a certificate of return would be given to you, the only person empowered to swear anyone into office is Mr President.

“The guy that was here before, Bola Ashiru, he never won any election nor contested, he just believed that we can occupy the office illegally. No election was won, no certificate of return given to him and he was never sworn in, he has nothing to back himself up.
On 28th of April 2025, there was a disclaimer on him by Mr President. He is no longer a member of ANLCA, all members have denied him.

“Like the Restoration mantra of Mr President, we believe that we have lost many things at the chapter, but whatever is lost would be restored by my humble self. Most importantly, I am going to preach professionalism.
“In this job, we are all professionals, so, our approach to issues and tackling challenges must be done professionally. Everybody would be carried along, I would make sure that sanity returns to the chapter and to the command in general.

“Before now, i have maintained a very cordial relationship with the security agents here and the customs controller, despite that I was not Chairman then, whenever there are operational challenges, people run to me and I get them resolved” he concluded.

Akindele is expected to spend a three years tenure in office according to the ANLCA constitution. He would be inaugurated by the Board of Trustees Chairman tommorow Wednesday 8th, October 2025.