Asaba: The Delta state Nigerian Union of Journalists, (NUJ) election, could not hold as scheduled on Thursday 20, 2017 due to irregularities in the delegate’s lists, resulting to the setting up of a committee to run the affairs of the union for the next three months according to constitutional provision.
The election which was initially billed to hold on the 18 of April 2017, was shifted to sort out some issues regarding the screening of some candidates, but could not still hold as prior to the election date, there was accusations and counter accusations of influences from the Delta state government on one side, and the camp of the outgoing Chairman Comdr. Norbert Chiazor who was accused of wanting to install his own candidate.
According to our reporters, the election was billed to kick off by 10 am with the end of tenure address of the incumbent Executive and subsequent dissolution, which will follow with delegate’s accreditation.
However, trouble started when it was observed that name of Chapel members were missing from the delegates lists, and an objection was raised.
The members however, in order to ensure that a new executive to pilot the affairs of the union for the next three years is elected, agreed for the use of the last updated official list of members, which was published in a compendium by the Chiazor led EXCO in 2015 be used, but this was rejected by the opposing side.
With no agreement on what to do, and the Labour House Hall, which was the venue of the election becoming rowdy, the electoral officer from the national headquarters of the union, after consultation have to announce the postponement of the election, according to him, as directed by the National Working Committee.
Meanwhile, a five (5) Man Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the union in the state for three months and subsequently organise a fresh election had been setup.
In a press statement from the national headquarters of the NUJ, signed by the Senior Assistant to the National Secretary, Mr. Gbenuga Bamidele, the union stated that “Upon the inability to conduct the election of members into the State Working Committee (SWC), of Delta State NUJ, as schedule on April 20, 2017, a five man Caretaker Committee has been inaugurated in accordance with Article 5c (9c) of the constitution of the Nigerian Union of Journalists.
The statement stated that the caretaker committee was elected from the thirty five Chairmen and Secretaries of the sixteen (16) chapels of the NUJ in Delta State.
Those elected are Daniel Orji (DBS Warri), Chairman, Osuji Paul (Asaba Correspondent), Secreatry, Rita Aghoa Elohor (NTA Asaba) member, Sunday Egede, (Pointer) member, and Emmanuel Ekebe, (Isoko Chapel) member.
While seeking for the understanding of member, the statement further said the caretaker committee shall run the affairs of the body and conduct a fresh election within three months according to the constitution.
