The national leadership of the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has urged the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State, to verify the identities and mandates of individuals claiming to represent the association before engaging with them.
The warning was contained in an urgent public notice and official clarification issued by PMAN General Secretary, Boniface Itodo, also known as Aita Bonny.
According to the statement, Gabriel Hodus, popularly known as EL’MORE, is the duly recognised PMAN Governor for Plateau State and the only person authorised by the association’s recognised national leadership to coordinate and approve chapter activities involving NIPSS, subject to the institution’s applicable protocols.
The association also stated that its national leadership had not authorised the purported activities in question, warning that any engagement undertaken without its approval should be independently verified.
The statement further alleged that Mr Pretty Okafor had been suspended and restrained by a subsisting court judgment, arguing that he lacked the authority, according to the association’s position, to appoint or authorise individuals or groups to represent PMAN in Plateau State.
It urged NIPSS and other stakeholders to verify any purported authorisation against the relevant court order and official PMAN records before proceeding with engagements.
The association warned that it would not accept responsibility for commitments made by individuals acting without its approval, stressing the need to protect its institutional integrity and the interests of musicians, NIPSS and the general public.
PMAN also called on all parties to maintain peace, respect the rule of law and seek clarification from its recognised national leadership whenever questions arise regarding representation or authorisation.
The notice was signed by Itodo in his capacity as General Secretary of the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria.