By Omotayo Toyosi
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo, along with the Vice President (North Central), Chris Atsaka, the Union’s National Secretary, Achike Chude, and others, are scheduled to appear before the Industrial Court in Abuja on October 29, 2024, over allegations of manipulating voter eligibility in the recent Kwara State Council elections.
Also named in the suit are the embattled Chairman of the Kwara State Council, Abdulateef ‘Lanre Ahmed, as well as the Chairman and Secretary of the Credentials Committee, Badamosi Abdul-Hameed Alaiye, and Sulaiman Jimoh Gobir.
The suit was filed by some aggrieved members of the Kwara State Council, who allege that the elections held on July 31, 2024, were marred by fraudulent practices and conducted in violation of the Union’s Constitution.
The plaintiffs claim that the election’s integrity was seriously compromised and are seeking a court order to restrain the election officials from conducting any further elections for the NUJ until the case is resolved.
They are also requesting the annulment of the recent election, arguing that the preparations leading up to the polls were tainted by fraud and malpractice, thereby rendering the electoral outcome null and void.
In the suit (number NICN/IL/08/2024), filed by Barrister Issa Manzuma, the claimants argue that the National Secretariat cannot unilaterally alter the list of delegates submitted by the Credentials Committee without consulting the respective Chapels.
They cite a previous ruling by the National Industrial Court in 2022 concerning similar election disputes in the NUJ Benue State Council, which held that the National President and the Executive had no constitutional authority to disqualify candidates.
Prominent candidate, Abdullahi Dare Akogun, who contested the chairmanship position, vehemently rejected the election results, which favoured the incumbent Chairman. Akogun described the election as the “most shambolic and kangaroo election” in the Union’s history, citing numerous irregularities, including alleged financial inducements to electoral officials, security personnel, and voters.
Akogun further claimed that voters’ identities were printed on ballot papers, in violation of the principle of secret balloting.
He accused the National Secretariat of ignoring serious concerns raised about the election’s conduct, which was overseen by officials who should have remained neutral.
He called for the nullification of the election results and urged the State Executive Council (SEC) to manage the Council’s affairs until a new election is conducted.
In a letter addressed to the Central Working Committee (CWC) on August 3, 2024, Akogun outlined various violations of the NUJ Constitution, alleging that many eligible members were disenfranchised due to a manipulated delegates’ list.
He further claimed that a Director in the State Ministry of Information had issued threats to voters, suggesting that their votes could be traced back to them.
Citing provisions within the NUJ Constitution that allow for challenges to election results within 21 days, Akogun urged the CWC to review the issues presented and called for justice and fairness in the electoral process.
