The crisis rocking the Rivers State Chapter of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) escalates into the emergence of splinter group
Chinedu Oguh, Port Harcourt
The state of confusion and lack of organization rocking the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, (PMAN), Rivers State Chapter, has worsened with emergence of a parallel union operating under the guise of Christian Piety, “PMAN Gospel Unit”.
In a scathing public statement, Comrade Moses Olusegun Mabadeje (AKA Mozy B) who claims to be the duly elected Governor of the PMAN, Rivers State Chapter, accused the group he called dissident gospel musicians of attempting to tear apart the union by operating an illegal parallel group.
According to him, the nine individuals named as ring leaders of the outlawed faction are: Mercy Reginald Otuenem (Sista Mercy), John Egwin Nwokorie (Jahvest), Uche Willy Thompson Utunee Dr. Joy Nwenenda Nwachukwu (Joyvtissful) Victor Effiong (Maestro Vic) Asinye Bromin and Augustine Ovan Gomba (Gi) and Joseph Worlu Ukot (Flage Prince).
Comrade Mabadeje explained that the so-called “PMAN Gospel Unit” was a creation of the immediate past sole administrator, Mr. Gbenga Olowu, and was formally dissolved in May 2025- three months after Mabadeje’s landslide election in February 2025 – with written endorsement from the authentic national president, Chief Fruitful Makwonge.
“Shockingly” Mabadeje stated, “These same individuals have now resurrected their defunct group by aligning themselves with Mr. Peter Okafor, the suspended National President of PMAN, who remains barred from holding any position in the union following subsisting judgement of the National Industrial Court in Lagos”.
Sources within PMAN confirmed that Okafor’s suspension remains in force, rendering any action or endorsement he issues legally void.
Mabadeje revealed that several previous attempts by the same elements to lure secular artists into rival factions were rebuffed, leaving the gospel wing as the last bastion willing to lend legitimacy to what he branded “a fraudulent enterprise”.
In a direct appeal, he called on Pastor Lanre Teriba of House on the Rock and other prominent clergymen in Rivers to rein members of their congregation involved in the crisis, urging them to choice godly conduct over union politics.
Meanwhile, Imperium law Attorneys, representing Mr. Moses Olusegun Mabadeje (Mozy-B), the Governor of PMAN Rivers State Chapter have formally petitioned the commissioner of Police, Rivers State command, over a brazen attempt to undermine lawful authority in the entertainment sector.
The petition aggressively directed at Mr. Pretty Okafor, Mercy Reginald Otuene, John Egwin Nwokorie, Uche will Thompson, Dr, Joy Nwenenda Nwachukwu, Victor Effiong, Asinye Brown, Augustine Oban Gaba, Joseph Worlu and Mr. Ukot Flag Prince accuses them of unlawaful impersonation, interference and conduct posing a severe threat to public peace and order.
According to the petition, on August 23, 2024, the National Executive Council (NEC) of PMAN decisively suspended and removed Mr. Pretty Okafor from his position as National President, a move upheld by a court injunction barring him from any interference with PMAN affairs. The NEC subsequently installed MR. Mabadeje as head of caretaker committee to oversee PMAN Rivers State, with a mandate to conduct legitimate elections.
On January 29, 2025, Mozy-B was democratically elected and has been executing his official duties without obstruction-until November 24, 2025, on that date, Mercy Reginald Otuene publicly declared on a major radio station that Mr. Okafor had unlawfully appointed the petitioned group as PMAN Rivers State Administrators a claim firmly rejected by the NEC PMAN.
On the note, Imperium Law warns that these self-styled administrator are impersonator, instigating confusion and intimidation within the entertainment community. Disturbingly, credible intelligence reveals the suspects have hatched plans to forcibly seize MOZY-B’s office, escalating tensions poised to erupt into violent conflict.
Tentacle further learnt that the National PMAN has denounced the suspects actions as illegal and criminal, branding Pretty Okafor a contemptuous violator of court orders intent on sowing chaos in Rivers State’s entertainment ecosystem.
The petition appeals for urgent Police intervention to investigate, apprehend and restrain the suspects before their reckless conspiracies plunge the state into unrest Mozy-B and administration emphasize their commitment to lawfulness and peaceful governance but caution that failure to act swiftly risks catastrophic break down of order and safety.
This unfolding crisis demands decisive action to safeguard the integrity of PMAN Rivers State and to prevent a looming security threat to the entertainment sector and broader public peace.
In the same vein, the PMAN Rivers leadership has issued a stern caution to the Rivers State Government, Local Government Chairmen, Members of the State House of Assembly, Corporate Organizations, Media houses and Private entities to immediately cease all dealings with the named individuals and their illegal platform.
