By Mokobia Rita.
ASABA/Nigeria: The 2026 election for the Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is taking shape with the emergence of the STAND-UP Campaign Team, which says members’ welfare, accountability and institutional development will form the core of its campaign.
The team, led by veteran journalist and public relations practitioner Comrade Kenneth Onojomena Obieh, is seeking to lead the council at a time when the union is preparing for its October 2026 election. Obieh is contesting the chairmanship, while Comrade Patrick Ochei is the candidate for Vice Chairman and Comrade Felix Ekwu for Secretary.
Other members of the team are Comrade Josephine Iroro, Assistant Secretary; Comrade Caroline Ubini, Treasurer; and Comrade Michael Ilaya, Auditor.
Presenting the team’s programme, Obieh said the campaign was focused on strengthening cooperation among the State Working Committee, State Executive Council and the various chapels across Delta State.
He said the objective was to build a council in which journalists could participate more actively in decision-making and have greater access to opportunities for professional and socio-economic development.
According to him, the STAND-UP platform is built around the principles of stability, service, elevation and enrichment, with emphasis on professionalism, transparency and inclusiveness.
Members’ welfare features prominently in the team’s proposed agenda, alongside capacity building and stronger institutional representation for journalists.
The team said it intends to pursue initiatives that would improve journalists’ professional skills while also addressing issues affecting their welfare and working conditions.
It also promised an administration based on consultation and accountability, saying stakeholders and members would have opportunities to contribute to decisions affecting the council.
Obieh said the present changes in the media industry require a leadership capable of responding to the evolving professional and technological environment while preserving the values and responsibilities of journalism.
The team also announced that Ubini and Ilaya emerged unopposed in their respective contests for Treasurer and Auditor.
The emergence of the STAND-UP candidates comes as preparations gather pace for the Delta NUJ Council election. The NUJ’s 2026 electoral activities have already seen a number of chapel-level leadership changes and endorsements across the state.
The candidates are expected to take their programme to members and delegates as the election campaign progresses.
