NUJ shifts Ogun council election

…As credentials committee appeals for peaceful poll

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NIGERIA: ELECTION into executive positions of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council would no longer hold on Friday as prior scheduled following the intervention of the national secretariat of the union.

The move came at the time the Credentials Committee urged all members to ensure hitch-free polls and conduct themselves according to the rules.

Of all the positions, only the chairmanship seat is being contested for by three aspirants from the same Information Chapel, who included the incumbent, Wole Shokunbi.

The two other contestants are Lanre Ogunyinka and Victor Ewuoso, while there are no aspirants for the positions of the Vice Chairman, Financial Secretary and Auditor, the development which has raised the issue of dearth of competent hands and vibrant unionism within the state council.

Other candidates contesting unopposed are Secretary, Soji Amosu, Assistant Secretary, Anthony Gandonu, and Treasurer, Mrs. ModupeOla Shobukunola.

The election had prior been fixed for Friday, December 5, but despite the halt the manifesto night was held on Thursday at the Iwe-Iroyin Press Centre, Abeokuta where the contestants showcased their plans for the union and the members in general.

The national secretariat has, therefore, fixed the election for Wednesday, December 9, but sources told the GatewayMail that the decision followed complaints lodged by some aggrieved contestants over non-payment of annual dues by members of some chapels and alleged manipulation of the delegates’ lists.

The payment of the annual dues is one of the criteria for members to vote and be voted for during elections into executive positions of the union – at the chapel, state and national levels.

The national body said that the decision to shift the polls was informed by the need to ensure strict adherence to the NUJ constitution.

This rationale for the NUJ action was conveyed in a letter signed by Gbemiga Bamidele, the Senior Assistant National Secretary and addressed to the Chairman, Credentials Screening Committee of the Ogun NUJ.

Copies of the letter entitled “Re: NUJ Election” and dated December 3, 2015 were sent to the Vice President, Zone B and all chapels of the union.

The letter reads: “I am to inform you that the state delegates’ conference/election earlier slated for Friday, December4, 2015 is postponed.  The election will now hold on Wednesday, December 9, 2015.”

“The change became imperative because of the need to ensure proper compliance with constitution of NUJ, particularly on financial status of the council and on list of delegates.

Thank you,” the national secretariat clarified.

Before the national secretariat’s intervention, the committee in charge of the poll had assured members that

following discussions with the headquarters of the union election would hold as prior scheduled.

“Sequel to the outcome of consultations with the National Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Abuja, the 2015 Ogun NUJ Screening and Credentials Committee has re-affirmed Friday 4th December 2015 as the date for the elections,” the committee said in a release signed by its Public Relations Officer, Seun Abati, who is the newly elected Chairman of the Local Government Information Chapel (LOGIC).

The released stated that the assurance came from the Chairman of the Committee, Sunday Odubayo, after the meeting held at the Iwe-Iroyin Press Centre, just as he implored all participants to play the game according to the rules and avoid anything capable of hindering the peaceful conduct of the election.

“He restated the committee’s determination to provide equal opportunities and a level playground for all contestants to ‎operate, noting that the necessary measures had been put in place to protect the interest of all stakeholders,” the release said.

It added: “He, however, solicited the cooperation and support of all members towards ensuring the emergence of credible leaders to steer the wheels of the union for the next three years.

“Odubayo also reiterated that the committee would not condone any infraction in the process of the election, especially the campaign of calumny, politics of bitterness or any other act capable of undermining the committee’s interest or that of members.”

Speaking on the election, a senior member of the union said that it was highly embarrassing that no aspirants were vying for the three essential offices in the union.

“Sincerely speaking, I can tell you that, to me, it is a shame that we have no aspirants for these three crucial offices in our union,” the journalist who preferred anonymity said.

He stressed: “Definitely, that has shown to everybody that people are no longer fascinated by elective office positions in the union, and this probably could be traced to lack of good leadership which does not encourage active participation.

“Indeed, the vibrancy expected in this union, which is the cradle of journalism, is no longer there.  And this should not be so in a union that its members are the voice of the people.  I am really appalled by this development,” he further stressed.

Also in an interview with GatewayMail, a female member in one of the radio chapels said she was cocksure that people who have the wherewithal, in terms of credibility and professional competence, appeared to be scarce or not interested due to many factors.

“Unfortunately, the few ones that are professionally capable and could push forward their integrity are not interested,” she said.

While preferring to remain anonymous for “reasons best known to me”, she explained that the union has not been vibrant as expected and in line with the sterling leadership qualities in the past, couple with the glory of the town as the cradle of journalism in Nigeria.

“No more vibrancy again, like we used to have under previous leadership that showed commitment and excellence for professional development,” the member, who was an executive of her radio station chapel, said.

“The result of what I am saying now is the lack of aspirants to vie for the three positions that remain vacant as we approach the election,” she said, adding: “This is unbelievable, embarrassing and not a good development in our union that should be championing the cause of the common man.”