National Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has nullified the election conducted by the Correspondents Chapel of the Kwara State Council,
The National Secretariat described the election as illegal, unconstitutional, and a violation of the Union’s governing rules.
In a letter issued from Abuja today (Tuesday ) and signed by the NUJ National Secretary, Achike Chude, and addressed to members of the Correspondents Chapel, and the State Council, the National Secretariat said the election, was conducted outside the supervision of the Kwara State Council, contrary to the provisions of the NUJ constitution.
The National Secretariat stated that the Chapel went ahead with the election despite an unresolved disagreement with the Council over the modalities for the poll, adding that the action amounted to a clear breach and departure from the Union’s governing laws.
Mr. Chude explained that the NUJ constitution clearly assigns the supervision of chapel elections to the state councils, citing Articles 4(17), 5E(3a), F(5), and 6(6) of the Union’s constitution.
He faulted the Chapel for acting unilaterally after submitting a complaint to the National Secretariat, saying it ought to have awaited the Union’s intervention.
The National Secretariat said it remained open to reviewing the complaints earlier raised by the Correspondents Chapel, including concerns about member recognition on the NUJ portal, but insisted that such grievances must be handled within the constitutional framework.
Mr Chude, however, acknowledged that the Credentials Committee that conducted the disputed election was validly constituted and would be allowed to continue its work, but only under the administrative and supervisory framework of the Council.
He urged leaders and elders of the Chapel, including the outgoing executives, to cooperate with the National Secretariat to restore peace and order in the chapel’s affairs and to facilitate a fresh, constitutionally recognized election process.
