FTAN Intervenes in ATPN Leadership Crisis, Sets Up 5-Man Dispute Resolution Committee

The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has waded into the leadership crisis rocking the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), setting up a five-man Dispute Resolution Committee to restore peace and stability to the association.

FTAN President, Dr. Aliyu Badaki, announced the formation of the committee, comprising respected veterans in the tourism industry nominated by the National Executive Council of FTAN.

According to Dr. Badaki, the committee’s Terms of Reference include:

• Investigating the root causes of the dispute between the parallel leadership factions.
• Hearing submissions from all relevant parties, including both factions, stakeholders, and concerned members of ATPN.
• Reviewing all legal, constitutional, and electoral provisions of ATPN relating to the leadership crisis.
• Facilitating mediation between the disputing parties to achieve reconciliation and unity.
• Recommending a fair, clear, and legally sustainable resolution to the conflict.
• Proposing mechanisms to prevent future leadership disputes within ATPN.

The members of the FTAN Dispute Resolution Committee are:

1. Alhaji Mohamed Sheriff
2. Mrs. Uloma Kemabonta
3. Dr. Emmanuel Jeminiwa
4. Mr. Precious Okonji
5. Rev. Akindele John

The intervention follows the escalation of a leadership tussle within ATPN. Recently, the association’s Governing Council announced the suspension of its President, Prince Adetunji Femi Fadina, and Acting President, Mr. Ayo Arokoyo, after a meeting held on Sunday, September 28, 2025.

According to the Council, Fadina was queried for alleged violations of the ATPN Constitution, but his response was found unsatisfactory. Consequently, a disciplinary panel was constituted to further investigate the allegations and report back to the Council.

Pending the conclusion of the process, the Council appointed Mr. Arokoyo, the First Deputy President, as Acting President, mandating him to uphold the tenets of the ATPN Constitution and fast-track the long-delayed inauguration of the association’s Standing Committees.

However, Prince Fadina rejected his purported suspension, describing the decision as “unconstitutional, null, and void.” He insisted he remains the duly elected President and legitimate Chairman of the ATPN Governing Council.

“It is laughable to imagine that a President would preside over his own suspension — that is a constitutional impossibility,” Fadina said. “ATPN cannot be built on illegality. Due process and constitutional order must be respected.”

He further argued that by the provisions of the ATPN Constitution, no Council meeting or decision can be validly held without the President’s authority and participation.

Fadina maintained that he remains the legitimate President until the expiration of his tenure, warning that any parallel claims of leadership are unauthorized, unconstitutional, and lack legitimacy.

FTAN’s intervention is therefore seen as a crucial step toward restoring peace, unity, and credibility within the nation’s tourism practitioners’ body.