The 6th Triennial Delegates Congress of the Abia State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) has come and gone without any rancour.
Recall that the NUJ Triennial Congresses in some State had in the past ended in chaos and in-house fighting in which members either got injured or hospitalised but that was not the case with Abia who lived up to its slogan as God’s Own State.
Prior to the 8th April,2021 Triennial Congress, stakeholders had as a result of past experience recorded during past Triennial Congresses held in the State which had ended in fiasco, preached for peaceful and rancour free election.
However, when the Credential Committee for the Triennial Congress, chaired by the Pioneer Chairman of the Council, Comrade Ogbonnaya Iheaka with other members that included, Dee Joe Akwarandu, Sir Emmanuel Ejiogu Maureen Mekaowulu,Chineye Egbulam,was inaugurated by the immediate past Council Chairman, Comrade John Emejor, they were charged to conduct a transparent and peaceful election.
The Comrade Iheaka Committee swung into action by releasing the Time table for the election while enjoined members to express their interest to contest for the offices.
At the end of filling the expression of interest, three candidates indicated their interest for the Office of the Council Chairman.
These include Ezeogo Boniface Okoro and Uche Nwosu both from the correspondents chapel and Victor Ndukwe from the BCA chapel.
When the Credential Committee came up with their final report, they cleared Ezeogo Boniface Okoro, Victor Ndukwe and disqualified Uche Nwosu on grounds of constitutional matters, precisely for his inability to attend at least 50% of council congresses in the last three years.
Others who were cleared and returned unopposed include Chidi Asonye of the Unity Chapel- Vice Chairman,Comrade Adaeze Ralph-Igbokwe of the State Information Chapel as the Secretary,Chika Orji-Nwoke of the Information Chapel – Treasurer, Chibuzor Maduka Iroh of the BCA – Financial Secretary and Amarachi Uzoukwu-Kenechukwu of the Ambassador Chapel as the Internal Auditor.
In a keenly contested poll where 134 Delegates were expected to participate, only 84 registered members of the Union participated in the election.
From the results announced by the Returning Officer and Zonal Secretary of the NUJ South East, Kenneth Ofoma, Comrade Victor Ndukwe of the Broadcasting Corperation Abia(BCA) Chapel emerged the new elected Chairman of the state Council by polling a total of 55 votes to defeat his opponent, Ezeogo Boniface Okoro who polled a total of 29 votes.
The success recorded by the Abia NUJ was such that the National Assistant Secretary of the Union, Comrade Akorodo Opeyemi and the zonal Secretary of the NUJ,South East, Comrade Kenneth Ofoma, who supervised the election, appreciated the level of coorporation among members of the State Council and congratulated them on conducting themselves well thereby showing example to politicians on how elections should be conducted.
In his speech after swearing in the newly elected officers, the zonal Secretary of the NUJ, South East, Comrade Kenneth Ofoma commended the immediate past Executive led by Comrade John Emejor for the accountability and transparent leadership which culminated to leaving over two million naira in the account of Union.
Some of the Stakeholders who spoke at the event including Chairman of the Credentials Committee and Pioneer Council Chairman, Ogbonnaya Iheaka recalled that the past elections conducted were characterized by bickering and often things litigations.
He disclosed that apart from the initial protests and planned boycott by some of the Correspondent Chapel who protested against the disqualification of Uche Nwosu who had expressed interest for the Chairmanship position but was disqualified on constitutional grounds, the election was successful.
Former Chairman of the Council, Hyacinth Okoli commenced the Council members for their peaceful conduct which he described as a departure from past experience witnessed during Triennial congresses.
Former Permanent Secretary and Member of the Council, Chimdi Oluoha gave kudos to the Chairman of the Abia NUJ Council and Chairman credentials/election committee, Comrade Ogbonnaya Iheaka for ensuring a transparent free and fair poll.
He advised the newly elected chairman to imbibe the spirit of unity and ensure that he carries every member along.
In his acceptance speech on behalf of his colleagues, the new Chairman of Abia State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Victor Ndukwe appreciated the members for the confidence reposed in them, assuring that he would not disappoint the members.
He extended hands of fellowship to other candidates and aspirants who indicated interest to run for the position and assured that with the cooperation of all, the council would grow higher and meet its objectives.
Now that the elections are over, stakeholders and interest groups have ensued on the need for the new executive to get down to the business of the day and carry all members along in the scheme of things as well as ensure that unity, peace and progress reign supreme in the council.
