Crisis: NUJ stakeholders meet in Kaduna, slam Isiguzo
Stakeholders of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) met in Kaduna State, yesterday, to review the decision and hold the union’s coming delegates’ conference in Imo State, and to save the journalism profession.
The stakeholders, who met behind closed doors, said they had begun consultations on modalities to revive NUJ. According to them, the decision followed what they described as “the regrettable outcome of the recent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, where caution – as regards the constitution, rule of law and ethical practices – was thrown to the wind by the leadership of the union under the President, Chris Isiguzo.”
Spokesperson for the stakeholders, Wuyah Peter, explained: “The meeting, which was presided over by Isiguzo, deliberately violated the NUJ constitution by approving October 4, 2021 as date for the conference (election day), which is less than two months to the end of the mandate of the current Central Working Committee (CWC).
The development is contrary to the NUJ constitution, which stipulates that the credentials committee should be given three months to organise an election.”
The statement also highlighted, among other issues of concern: “Isiguzo insisted that the election should be held in less than two months which contradicted the union’s constitution. He also padded the list of delegates of some state councils that are his supporters. For example, his state, Abia, which had 16 delegates in the 2018 conference in Abeokuta, was now allocated 20 delegates, while Enugu moved from 25 to 30 delegates, Cross Rivers from 16 to 20, and Ebonyi from 15 to 18.
While issues of safety and security were raised by the Vice President Zone F, Edward Ogude, about the choice of the president’s home state for the delegates conference, he was ignored and, in a mob-like fashion, the election was moved to Abia State.”
The statement noted that journalists, who are meant to be role models in the society, should not drag themselves in the mud for pecuniary and egocentric gains, but should rather project its dignifying and elegant responsibility.
“We appeal to Iziguzo to retrace his steps and avoid laying a catastrophic presence in the history of the union. The union means a lot to us. Don’t allow power and political motives to squander the future of the union through you,” it added.
