By Omotayo Toyeeb
Comrade Omotayo Ayanda, the immediate past Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council, has openly declared his support for legal actions aimed at addressing the irregularities and injustices that occurred during the union’s 2024 election.
Speaking in Ilorin yesterday, Ayanda described the last electoral process in Kwara council as fraught with violations of the NUJ constitution, disenfranchisement of eligible voters, and manipulation of the voting process.
He emphasized that the only way to restore sanity and credibility within the union is through court interventions that will hold those responsible for the breaches accountable.
“I support court actions to right the wrongs that have plagued the Kwara NUJ election and the union as a whole. It is critical to take these steps to ensure that the constitution is respected, and those involved in violating the principles of fairness and transparency are held to account,” Ayanda stated.
He further condemned the actions of the National President, Chief Chris Isiguzo, and other leaders, accusing them of turning a blind eye to the issues raised during the election.
According to Ayanda, the leadership ignored his formal complaints about irregularities, which included the unilateral approval of a credentials screening committee by the Council Chairman, Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed, without consulting the other executive members.
Ayanda expressed disappointment over the disenfranchisement of several qualified members, including former Chairman Mall Umar Abdulwahab, and other members who had fulfilled their financial obligations to the union but were not allowed to vote.
He described the election as a betrayal of the democratic process, warning that if such impunity continues unchecked, the union’s integrity would be further eroded.
He also criticized the electoral committee for the unconstitutional practice of revealing voters’ identities on the ballot papers, thereby undermining the union’s requirement for secret ballots.
Ayanda emphasized that the situation had reached a point where only the courts could provide a fair resolution.
“The NUJ is supposed to set a standard for democratic practices, but we have failed in this election. I believe court actions are necessary at this point to ensure that those responsible for these violations face justice and that similar incidents do not occur in the future,” Ayanda said.
Reflecting on the gravity of the situation, Ayanda urged all aggrieved members to seek justice through legal channels and ensure that the rule of law prevails within the union.
He stressed that restoring the credibility of the union should be the top priority for every member.
Ayanda also reaffirmed his commitment to the union’s progress, stating that his support for legal actions is based on his desire to see the union operate within the bounds of its constitution and regain the trust of its members.
“The courts are the final arbiters in matters like this. If we fail to act now, we are only setting a dangerous precedent for future elections, and the damage to the union may become irreversible,” he concluded.
Ayanda called for an end to the politics of exclusion and tribalism within the union and urged all members to unite in ensuring that justice is served, and the union’s integrity is restored.
