The Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN), the umbrella body for Nigerian musicians, is once again embroiled in a bitter leadership crisis. A wave of controversy has been triggered by an alleged merger between members of the current PMAN executive and a faction backed by a contested court judgment, raising serious concerns about the legitimacy of leadership within the union.
By Kenneth Ehi-Choya
At the center of the dispute is the emergence of a group reportedly led by individuals identified as Fruitful, Dr. Tee Mac, and Pupa Orits Williki — all of whom have been linked with the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN). Critics argue that the so-called merger, recently endorsed by Sunny Neji and others from the current executive, is an attempt to legitimize a faction that lacks legal and moral standing within PMAN.
A house divided
While PMAN currently operates under an executive structure led by Pretty Okafor as President, with Sunny Neji and Zaaki Azzay as Vice Presidents, internal tensions and accusations of corruption have long plagued the leadership. The latest twist involves Neji and his colleagues distancing themselves from the recognized leadership and aligning with a group accused of bypassing constitutional processes and staging an unauthorized election.
According to critics, the controversial election — allegedly organized without proper authorization, clear candidates, or defined delegates — resulted in a consent judgment widely seen as a product of manipulation. Alarmingly, it is claimed that the same legal counsel represented both the plaintiffs and respondents in court, raising ethical red flags about the process.
“There are critical questions that remain unanswered,” said Kenneth Ehi-Choya, a PMAN member and outspoken advocate for reform. “Who organized this election? Who approved it? Who were the candidates, the returning officer, and how was the consent judgment secured?”
Allegations of impersonation and deception
Another controversial figure in the unfolding drama is George Dureke, who is accused of impersonating the collective interests of PMAN members in the court proceedings. Critics allege that Dureke, a former PMAN member himself, had previously transferred leadership to Tee Mac without due process — a transaction now used to support the legitimacy of the faction seeking to merge with the current executive.
Observers have raised suspicions that MCSN’s influence in the matter is an attempt to annex PMAN for rent-seeking and commercial gain. “This is not about leadership anymore; it’s about control and asset grabbing,” said Ehi-Choya. “These individuals have, for years, created crisis after crisis in PMAN. If we don’t stop them, they will bury the association for good.”
Calls for accountability
Ehi-Choya insists that all members involved — including Sunny Neji, Zaaki Azzay, Ruggedman, and Aita Bonny — must be held accountable for their roles in supporting what he describes as a fraudulent and treacherous attempt to hijack PMAN.
He argues that aligning with a group allegedly involved in forgery, deception, and illegal representation in court disqualifies them from holding any leadership claim within the organization.
“There is no excuse for any executive member of PMAN to associate with groups that have no constitutional or legal basis for existence,” Ehi-Choya said. “Legitimacy cannot be built on the back of forgery and manipulation.”
A call to clean house
With the association’s image battered and its operations deeply politicized, many stakeholders are calling for a full investigation into the current situation. They urge the music community, legal authorities, and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to intervene and ensure transparency and accountability in PMAN’s leadership.
“There is no place in PMAN for corruption, illegality, or deception,” Ehi-Choya concluded. “We must rise above distractions and focus on holding the current executive accountable while rejecting all attempts to legitimize criminality under the guise of reconciliation.”
For now, PMAN remains at a crossroads, its future uncertain as questions of legitimacy, legality, and leadership continue to divide the once-united voice of Nigerian musicians.
