The Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) has dismissed claims by its former president, Femi Fadina, that he remains the association’s substantive leader.

The association said Fadina’s expulsion remains valid and urged tourism stakeholders to recognise Prince Ayodele Arokoyo as Acting President.

National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, made the clarification on Saturday in Port Harcourt.

Kiyaramo said Arokoyo, the First Deputy President, was appointed Acting President pending the election of a substantive president at the association’s next Annual General Meeting.

He urged Fadina to accept the decision of the association and refrain from making what he described as misleading public claims.

According to him, ATPN remains stable, functional and focused on advancing Nigeria’s tourism industry despite recent leadership disputes.

He reassured members, partners, government agencies and industry stakeholders that the association’s activities would continue uninterrupted under Arokoyo’s leadership.

Kiyaramo called on stakeholders across the tourism sector to support the Acting President and ongoing efforts to strengthen the association.

He also urged the public to disregard reports suggesting that Fadina remains ATPN president.

The spokesman described ATPN as a leading professional tourism body founded in 1990 to promote domestic and inbound tourism in Nigeria.

He said the association continues to serve as a unified voice for tourism businesses, advocating industry standards, policy reforms and consumer protection nationwide.