The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has inaugurated a committee to oversee the affairs of Rivers State council.
A statement jointly signed by the chairman and secretary, Mr Amaechi Okonkwo and Justice Ihunwo, respectively on Thursday, said the decision followed a stalemate that suffused the scheduled August 12, 2021 election into the state council.
The Committee made up of Chairmen and Secretaries of Chapels of the State Council is mandated to, in accordance with the Constitution of the union, oversee and run the affairs of the Union pending the conduct of the election.
The tenure of the former committee of the council, led by Stanley Job and Ike Wigodo, chairman and secretary, respectively elapsed on July 12, 2021 and was accordingly dissolved after the business session of the State Triennial Conference.
According to the statement, the election could not hold owing to disagreement over lack of display of authentic voters’ list, a constitutional requirement for the conduct of the election as well as recognised functional and up-to-date check-off dues paying chapels.
Article 5 C (9) C of the NUJ Constitution states; “Where there is a stalemate in the elections at the National Delegates’ Conference, the State Council Chairmen and Secretaries shall takeover and run the affairs of the Union and conduct fresh elections within three months. Same shall apply in the case of a stalemate in the State Council elections, where chapel Chairmen and Secretaries shall perform the same functions”.
It added that “following the stalemate, the national Secretariat of the NUJ constituted and delegated a team led by the National Trustee of Zone ‘F’ (South-south) to inaugurate the Rivers State Committee made up of eight functional and financial up to date chapels.”
Earlier in the day, on arrival at the state secretariat, “the former Chairman of the Council, Stanley Job and Secretary, Ike Wigodo in alleged connivance with some hired tugs, resisted the team from carrying out the directive of the National Secretariat of the NUJ.
“However, determined not to fail in their assigned duty, the delegated officers of the National Secretariat led by the National Trustee Zone F, Angese John ensured compliance with the provisions of the Constitution and inaugurated the Chairmen and Secretaries of the eight chapels with good financial standing as members of the committee to oversee the Rivers State Coucil.
“The members of the Caretaker Committee elected are Amaechi Okonkwo of the Correspondents’ Chapel as Chairman while Justice Ihunwo of the Rivers State Television Chapel emerged as Secretary.”
Other members include, Federal Ministry of Information Chapel with Gabriel Obokwu – Chairman, Helen Nsirim – Secretary; Rivers State Ministry of Information Chapel with Owupele Benibo – Chairman, The Tide Chapel – Amadi Akujobi and Kevin Nengia.
Others Radio Rivers Chapel, Lekia Godspower Anya – Chairman, Asitonka Fubara-Tams – Secretary; Rivers State TV Chapel with Nnamdi Olimini – Chairman, Justice Ihunwo – Secretary; Correspondent chapel with Amaechi Okonkwo –Chairman, Chidi Ohalete – Secretary; NTA Chapel with Kingsley Amajiri as Chairman, Robinson Derateide as Secretary and Treasure FM (FRCN) Chapel with Gabriel Okechukwu as Chairman.
The national Trustee enjoined the members to ensure the successful completion of the State Council election and return it to the part of peace.
