NUJ frowns at governors’ campaign strategies, wants equal opportunities for all parties

COMMUNIOUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE MEETING OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ) HELD AT THE NUJ PRESS CENTRE, BENIN-CITY, EDO STATE, NOVEMBER 11, 2022.

Attended by National Officers and all the State Councils.

The following resolutions were adopted;

1. NEC extends gratitude to Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Mr Godwin Obaseki for the successful hosting of the NEC meeting in the State, and to Alhaji Muhammad Nami, Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service – FIRS for facilitating the NUJ/FIRS Tax Conference also in Benin.
2. NEC dissolves the Caretaker Committee of Ogun State Council and mandates Chairmen and Secretaries of Chapels in line with the NUJ constitution to take over the running of the council. NEC also directs the VP Zone B to immediately inaugurate the new Caretaker leadership. NEC accordingly inaugurates the Chairman, Oyo State Council, Ademola Babalola, Adeleye Ajayi, the Chairman of Lagos Council and Kayode Babatuyi, Secretary of Ekiti State Council as members of the Credentials Committee for the conduct of the Ogun Council election.

3.NEC constitutes a three member committee led by the VP Zone F, Opaka Dokubo, Assistant Secretary Enugu State Council, Ifoma Amuta and the Chairman Ebonyi State Council, Tony Nwizi to look into the NAWOJ problem in Abia State with a view to settling it.

4. NEC resolves that all elected members of the Union that get political appointments must resign from their Union positions.
5. NEC tasks governments at all levels to appoint only professional Journalists to man media or communication related positions.
6. NEC canvasses support for Traditional institutions and urges the National Assembly to consider creating constitutional roles for Traditional Rulers especially in the fight against insecurity.
7. NEC frowns at a situation where state governments make it very difficult or almost impossible for opposition political parties to have seamless campaigns in their States. NEC wants all political parties to be given equal opportunities and stresses the need for security agents to put more efforts towards checking incessant attacks during political rallies.
8. NEC calls on the Federal Government to take proactive measures to mitigate the effects of flooding which have ravaged many parts of the country. NEC urges government to put in place ecological mechanisms to prevent future flooding and intensify distribution of relief materials.
9. NEC advises the Federal Government to declare a State of Emergency on federal roads across the nation because of their very bad nature.
10. NEC charges governments at all levels and the Security Personnel to ensure the safety of Journalists and media workers before and during the 2023 general elections.
11. NEC harps on the key role of taxation in making growth sustainable and equitable and tasks the media to rise up to the challenge of informing and educating Nigerians on the importance of paying taxes.
12. NEC directs the Secretary of Kebbi State Council and by extension the State Council to forthwith, withdraw the suspension of Blessing Micheal of the Council and inform all the relevant authorities accordingly. NEC describes the action of the Secretary as an aberration and flagrant breach of NUJ constitution.
13. NEC reiterates the position of the Union’s constitution that no Council or Chapel should give awards to individuals or organisations without the consent and approval of the National Secretariat.
14. NEC directs a stoppage to the situation where State Councils unilaterally enter into agreements with individuals or organisations over union property without approval of the National Secretariat.
15. NEC calls on all State Councils to submit a comprehensive inventory of property in their possession including a list of all bona-fide financial members of their Councils within seven days. NEC directs the National Secretariat to impose appropriate sanctions on defaulting Councils.
16. NEC wants the Security Agencies to beef up security around INEC facilities and media houses ahead of 2023 general elections.
17. NEC commends the collaboration between the National Secretariat, INEC and Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) towards organising capacity building workshops on 2023 elections and conflict sensitive reporting across the country for Journalists with the aim of preparing them better for the onerous task.

Shuaibu Usman Leman
Walin Shadalafiya
National Secretary.

Communique Drafting Communique

1. Ronke Samo
2. Garba Muhammad
3. Ezenwa Adiuku