THE Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) reportedly dissolved its executive council (exco) on Saturday, October 19.
The council members impeached the exco, including its chairman, Patrick Osadebamwe, at a congress held at the NUJ secretariat in the nation’s capital.
The exco members were alleged to have attempted to impose a credentials committee on the council for its election slated for December 4.
Immediate past chairman of the council, Emmanuel Ogbeche, was accused of anointing a candidate for the poll.
He was also alleged to have been involved in the plot to impose the credentials committee members on the council.
Ogbeche was the NUJ FCT council chairman for five years before Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu appointed him as his spokesperson in June 2023.
Osadebamwe was Ogbeche’s deputy until the governor appointed him. The appointment paved the way for Osadebamwe’s elevation to lead the council.
Members alleged that the credentials committee members were loyal to the exco and that the process that led to their nomination at the congress was fraught with deceit.
The nominees include Emeka Nze, Blueprint, Francisca Udoh ITV, and Godfrey Okon of Abuja Inquirer.
While the exco members attempted to have their way with the team nominated as the credential members, the council protested, and the scene turned chaotic.
The ICIR reports that the failure of the Osadebamwe-led exco to yield to the council members’ demand led to a commotion, as aggrieved members chanted “We no go gree (we won’t accept), “We move for impeachment,” “You can’t dictate to us.”
The parties almost physically assaulted one another while banging tables and smashing available objects on the premises, including chairs.
The exco eventually invited armed police officers who retreated upon discovering that the crisis was a union affair.
Members consequently gathered signatures, with more than two-thirds of the congress signing to impeach the exco members.
The council directed chapel chairmen to take over the affairs of the FCT council while urging the NUJ national leadership to approve their decision to sack the exco members, and further called on the national body to appoint a caretaker committee for the FCT council.
Ogbeche reacts, threatens lawsuit
Speaking with The ICIR Saturday night, Ogbeche expressed shock that the governor could be linked with the NUJ election in Abuja.
He questioned why a governor would be interested in an NUJ council poll.
“Why should my principal be interested in the NUJ FCT election? What benefit is that to him or the Cross State Government? This is a sheer red herring to put a wedge. I have no interest in the FCT election. All those behind this perfidy will have their day in court. Mischief brewed in hell,” he said.
He vowed that all the media organisations that published a report linking the governor to the crisis without getting his reaction would be sued.
“There is NUJ in Cross River State. He has not interfered in the NUJ in Cross River. Why should he interfere in FCT? He is just one out of 36 governors. If 36 governors decide to interfere in the NUJ election, not even the national election, then, it will be of serious consequences.
“As I told you earlier, my lawyers have taken judicious note of it… Every media organisation that has published it will be sent a letter, latest by Tuesday, for them to provide evidence of where this meeting was held, where this post was made, and how my principal said he was going to be involved in the election. It is as simple as that.”
Ogbeche said the crisis in the NUJ was not limited to the FCT council but existed at the national level.
He said, “At the moment, some members are in court to challenge the formation of the credentials committee. As of today, we understand that a member of the credentials committee has resigned his membership of that committee over certain irregularities. it is unfortunate.”
Ogbeche boasted that the council experienced no crisis when he was its leader. He said he guarded his integrity and the union’s image jealously.
“What has happened today is regrettable. People will not seek internal mechanisms to resolve issues, which is adequately provided for in the constitution (of the NUJ). You are not casting aspersion on me as an individual, you are casting aspersion on the premier journalism union in Nigeria.
“That is the implication of all this mess. I served with integrity. I served meritoriously, and my records are there, unimpeachable for anybody to go through.
Marcus bears the light, and he beams it everywhere. He's a good governance and decent society advocate. He's The ICIR Reporter of the Year 2022 and has been the organisation's News Editor since September 2023. Contact him via email @ mfatunmole@icirnigeria.org