By Dare Akogun
In a regrettable display of desperation, members of the Kwara State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the public witnessed a troubling incident last Thursday amid the legal battle following the controversial 2024 Kwara NUJ Council elections.
On that day, Saka Laaro, a claimant challenging the election held on July 31, reportedly collapsed at the office of the plaintiff’s lawyer during an unannounced visit by the Council Chairman, Ahmed Lateef, who had brought the elderly journalist to the office in a bid to pressure him to withdraw the case.
The legal case, now before the Ibadan Division of the National Industrial Court, came up for mention on Tuesday and was adjourned to November 20, 2024, for further hearing.
This incident, fueled by Lateef’s desperation to cling to power, not only shows a disregard for due process but raises critical questions about the ethical obligations of leaders to uphold the dignity of their office.
Lateef’s unannounced visit to his opponent’s legal counsel, with the claimant in tow, is troubling on multiple levels. Legally, actions like these may be perceived as harassment or intimidation.
When leaders attempt to influence legal proceedings outside the courtroom, they undermine the very foundations of justice and send a dangerous message that rules can be bent or broken to serve personal interests.
As legal experts have noted, a defendant showing up unannounced at a plaintiff’s lawyer’s office has all the markings of undue pressure, particularly in a high-stakes case such as this, where the outcome will determine the future integrity of the NUJ.
The Nigerian Union of Journalists, which represents the collective voice of Nigerian media practitioners, holds a critical role as society’s watchdog. Such conduct by a union leader not only damages the public’s trust in journalists but also casts a shadow over the union’s ethical standards.
The desperation exhibited by Ahmed Lateef mirrors the actions of the immediate past NUJ President, Chris Isiguzo, (tenure ended officially on October 6th, 2024) who, during his tenure, was known for bending the rules to retain power and disregarding the union’s constitution in matters relating to elections.
In 2021, for example, at the national delegate conference in Umuahia, candidates were allegedly disqualified unjustly to ease his path to re-election.
Journalists are defenders of accountability and transparency, and any union leader who undermines these principles, even in a bid to secure a position, betrays the core values that define the NUJ.
A leader who resorts to intimidation not only fails the union but tarnishes the profession, risking the public’s hard-won trust in journalism.
The importance of ethical conduct cannot be overstated. For any leader, especially within an organization as vital as the NUJ, respect for due process must be the guiding principle.
Across the country, council elections during Isiguzo’s tenure have faced accusations of irregularities, where the highest bidder, regardless of qualifications, was often favored. States like Benue, Abia, and Kwara have reported breaches of the union’s constitution during council elections, and recently, a court stopped the Bayelsa council elections due to similar concerns.
By disregarding ethical norms, Ahmed Lateef, like his mentor Isiguzo, signals to NUJ members that personal ambitions supersede democratic governance. Such actions erode members’ faith in the union’s leadership and set a dangerous precedent for future administrations.
Additionally, Lateef’s conduct raises important legal and moral concerns. Actions perceived as attempts to compromise legal proceedings through intimidation or undue influence could be viewed by the court as contempt or obstruction of justice.
Left unchecked, this type of desperation poses serious implications, undermining the rule of law and setting a destabilizing example for young journalists observing their leaders’ actions.
Ultimately, this episode serves as a stark reminder of why union leadership must prioritize the collective good over personal gain. Leaders must be willing to step down when their actions bring more harm than benefit, upholding the dignity of their office and the principles they are meant to protect.
The NUJ, built on principles of fairness, transparency, and justice, deserves better. Members and stakeholders of the NUJ must demand that their leaders abide by these values and set an example for others in the profession.
As long as power is sought at all costs, integrity will remain elusive, and the NUJ will continue to suffer from leadership failures. This is a critical moment for the union to reinforce its commitment to good governance, ensuring that the values of ethical journalism prevail at all times.
These are the irreducible minimum standards expected of practitioners in a profession that prides itself as the conscience of society.
As the NUJ prepares for another delegate conference to elect a national leader who will pilot the union’s affairs for the next three years, the need for integrity and accountability in its leadership cannot be overemphasized.
Abdullahi Dare Akogun
Immediate Past Chairman
Sobi FM Chapel, Kwara-NUJ
