The shameful drama unfolding in the build-up to the NUJ Ogun State Council elections has exposed a grand conspiracy masterminded by the National Secretary, to hijack the will of Ogun journalists, trample on the NUJ Constitution, and force an illegitimate leadership on our Council.
Mr. Chude Achike, a supposed human rights activist was employed as the national secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists by former NUJ president, Mr. Chris Isiguso during his second term.
What we are witnessing is *not an election process* — it is *a coordinated assault on democracy,* and we will not keep quiet.
*1. A Credentials Committee Built to Fail — and Built for Fraud*
The so-called Credentials Committee is a *constitutional disaster.*
It is lead by unqualified member who has no business being there,* *Abiodun Taiwo,* publisher of *Salient Times*, a man *publicly disclaimed by Daily Times* yet handpicked to preside over our elections.
This is not incompetence.
This is *a deliberate setup,* a committee created to do a dirty job.
*2. A Screening Exercise Designed to Favour the Anointed Candidates*
Under the watchful eyes of the National Secretary, the screening exercise became a *factory for fraud.*
The incumbent camp, Mr. Akinwale Olanrewaju-led executive committee — his preferred candidates — were cleared *even though they broke every rule in the NUJ Constitution,* including:
* Failure to meet *50% chapel Congress attendance*
* Being nominated by *unqualified persons*
* Being associate members *who should not “vote and be voted for”
* Members without good financial standing
* Even including a constitutionally *disqualified person who should not be a member at all*
Yet, genuine, bona fide members — with valid and good financial standing and nominations from fully qualified chapel members — were *shamelessly disqualified.*
This was not screening.
It was *targeted elimination.*
*3. Illegal Election Date Change: A Desperate Grab for Power*
As if the fraud was not enough, the National Secretary, Chude Achike recklessly moved the election date from *22nd December 2025* to *11th December 2025,* without Congress approval, without consultation, and without one atom of constitutional backing.
This is *lawlessness of the highest order* — a desperate attempt to ambush Ogun journalists and hand the election to his preferred camp on a platter of illegality.
*4. Constitution Torn to Shreds*
Every one of the nominators for his favoured candidate violates:
* *Article 3:3(a, b & d)*
* *Article 4*
* *Article 6:7(f)*
Yet these same candidates were miraculously cleared, while those who met every requirement were thrown out.
This is open contempt for the NUJ Constitution.
The over bloated membership lists that violates the NUJ constitution are those with qualified and non qualified members expressly ratified by the national secretary there by jettisoned the 2022 delegates list in the possession of the incumbent vice president of B zone
*WE WILL NOT ALLOW NUJ OGUN TO BE TURNED INTO A PRIVATE ESTATE*
This reckless manipulation will not stand.
This assault on our union will not pass.
And this brazen conspiracy will not go unchallenged.
*OUR POSITION IS CLEAR:*
* Reverse the illegal disqualifications.
* Dissolve the tainted Credentials Committee.
* Restore the rightful *22nd December* election date.
* Conduct a fresh, transparent screening under neutral officers.
Anything short of this is an endorsement of fraud — and we will resist it with every lawful tool available.
Ogun journalists refuse to be conquered.
The NUJ Constitution must rise above the ambitions of one man.
Signed.
Comrade Razaq Ayinla
Comrade Folake Ade-Adeniji
Comrade Kunle Ibikunle
Comrade Seun Odunlami
Comrade Abiodun Ogundipe
Comrade Wole Shokunbi
Comrade Sola Ajibike
Comrade Adejoke Adeleye
Comrade Omobolaji Adekunle
Comrade Gbenga Oladipupo