The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has become aware of a viral video with lyrics referring to one of the frontline candidates in the 2023 Presidential Election. This video and those who canvass it do not represent the opinion or position of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity). As an organisation, we dissociate ourselves from any insinuation or misrepresentation the video conveys.
As a responsible organisation, we are mindful of the need to be circumspect, and as we advocate for good governance, we make concerted efforts not to heat up the polity. We have always provided direct intervention and thought leadership on community and national issues using direct action or press releases. We have established mechanisms for reaching and publicising official positions on public matters.
In the past 12 months, we made over 100 interventions attributable to nominated and authorised representatives. We understand that this gauges organisational postures and positions. Accordingly, any suggestion that the video represents the outcome of a considered reflected political opinion of the organisation is mischievous, misleading and outrightly false.
We reiterate that the Pyrates Confraternity is non-political! Since our founding 70 years ago, we have never been politically affiliated or involved in electioneering. We have never had a preferred candidate in any political election. We are not supporting or against any candidate in this 2023 election. Some of our members belong to different political parties and can support any candidate unconditionally in the knowledge that that political activities at the level of partisanship are not allowed within our corporate entity.
For the enthronement of democracy and democratic values of the freedom of political choice in Nigeria, our organisation and members opposed the military dictatorship. We joined hands with other civil societies to end military rule in Nigeria. Like several Nigerians, many of our members paid the ultimate price for the democracy we enjoy today. We fought for democratic principles as symbolised on June 12. Many of us were hounded into exile, imprisoned, tortured, businesses and employment destroyed, and our families terrorised by the military dictatorship for speaking truth to power.
As an organisation, we cherish these democratic principles and reject any action of persons who will use songs or videos to tarnish the non-political stance of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) inadvertently or wilfully. We denounce the political clickbait merchants desperately pursuing social media and economic mileage through deliberate misinformation about our organisation. They do not represent our values as ensconced in our ideals.
We have our desires as a corporate entity for INEC to conduct free, fair and transparent elections in a way that ensures that “our votes count”. This has always been our campaign through www.ourvotescount.org.ng, and we call on both INEC and the security agencies to ensure that this is guaranteed in the forthcoming elections.
Finally, we reaffirm that all official positions of the National Association of Seadogs are hosted on our website, and social media handles. Our formal opinions are not disseminated on videos that have no official origin or organisational authorisation.
Abiola Owoaje
NAS Cap’n
