Last Thursday Bryan Chike and Bond Emeruwa (both movie directors) tied with 28 votes each in their bid to be president of the Directors' Guild of Nigeria (DGN), an
umbrella association of movie directors in Nigeria. The general elections were held at the annex of the National Theatre, Iganmu Lagos. Prior to the elections proper, contestants to various posts were allowed a few minutes to express themselves to members of the guild who listened with rapt attention.

After the manifesto time financial members who were only legible to vote were accredited. In all, fifty-six members of the guild were accredited to vote by the electoral committee headed by Franca Brown. Voting went on for more than one hour, thereafter agents and representatives of the contestants closely monitored the counting of the ballot papers. Votes cast for the presidential candidates were the last to be counted. Both Bryan Chike and Bond Emeruwa both had 28 votes.

Initially, there were indications that the run off election which was later fixed for 31st July would be held immediately but lot of movie directors who voted had left the election venue. Another option was that members of the electoral committee should vote but this was not given a consideration. In order to maintain order the outgoing President Fidelis Duker addressed members of the guild to allow him have a tête-à-tête with duo whose votes tied.

After about twenty minutes the outgoing president returned to the venue of the election to inform members of the guild that a run-off election has been slated for 31st July, 2007 at the same venue. In his view the tie means both candidates are capable of being president of the
guild.

Speical observers at the elections included movie veterans like Enebeli Enebuwa, Abiola Atanda (Madam Kofo), Mrs. Oni (regional head Films Corporation of Nigeria), Isah Abubakar (President Cinematographers Association of Nigeria), Chima Igwe, Ralph Nwadike, Stanley Okoronkwo and Azuh Arinze.

DGN ELECTIONS RESULTS AT A GLANCE

PRESIDENT :
Bond Emeruwa 28
Chike Bryan 28

VICE PRESIDENT:
Kingsley Omofe 49 (unopposed)

NATIONAL SECRETARY GENERAL:
Sam Boye 52 (unopposed)

ASS. NATIONAL SEC. GENERAL:
Chima Okereke 48 (unopposed)

NATIONAL P.R.O:
Dickson Iroegbu 36
Obi Calys Obinali 20

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE:
Oby Kechere 51 (unopposed)

NATIONAL PROVOST:
Dan Amedu 51 (unopposed)