The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Transparency Group has reiterated the need for a transformative change in the NUJ FCT Council come December 4, 2024.
This is coming following a kangaroo briefing by Emeka Nze and Caleb Onwe both who are interested parties and Director Generals of chairmanship aspirants, Victorson-Agbenson Usiodamwen and John Chucks respectively.
Speaking for NUJ FCT Transparency Group, Prince Ugoeze Afonne urged members of the council to discountenance the unfounded claims in the statement, saying that both Emeka Nze and Caleb Onwe are unreliable and unserious fellows that should be ignored as they are hired to do a dirty job and disrupt the electoral process.
The statement reads, “In response to the recent public statements by Emeka Nze and the so-called “Concerned Bonafide Journalists” group, it is evident that underlying personal interests and a lack of consistency in their allegations undermine the credibility of their claims.
“Emeka Nze, a key voice among these concerned members, has previously taken harsh stances against the very leadership he now aligns with, particularly in his outspoken accusations against the embattled Patrick Osadebamwen-led executive.
“Nze once accused this administration of misappropriating forty million naira—a serious charge that aimed to tarnish the reputation of the leadership. It raises questions about his current motives as he appears to shift alliances to support this same group.
“The portrayal of NUJ National President Chris Isiguzo as fostering a “constitutional crisis” appears to be a misrepresentation intended to gain traction among FCT Council members.
“The accusation that President Isiguzo sought to destabilize the council’s upcoming election is unsubstantiated and misleading.
“They are grumbling and complaining because the NUJ national Secretariat is not playing to their script and card. We are aware of their failed efforts using royal fathers to pressure the National President to disqualify the leading aspirant and pave the way for their preferred candidates, Victorson and Chucks.
“The real issue lies in the proposal to register over 700 members of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Cooperative Society, a proposal, which the President rightly declined in order to uphold the integrity of the council’s electoral process. The aspirant who Emeka Nze is aligning with was directed to do a formal letter through the chapel, council, zonal and national officially. Instead he asked for a secret and discreet registration process.
“It is vital to recognize that if such a mass registration were allowed, it could influence the election unfairly, given that these individuals may not meet the qualifications for NUJ membership.
“Nze’s support for this questionable proposal appears to reflect an agenda rather than genuine concern for NUJ’s values or FCT Council’s integrity.
“Furthermore, the alleged “disruptions” at congress meetings are presented as strategic interruptions to paint the President negatively and push for a preferred outcome.
“These incidents appear orchestrated to create the narrative of chaos, thereby facilitating an environment where accusations against President Isiguzo can be easily believed.
“This is a tactic aimed at swaying the opinions of members rather than addressing legitimate concerns.
Meanwhile, In light of recent events and statements from Emeka Nze and his allies, it is increasingly clear that personal interests and loyalty to paymasters are driving their actions, not a commitment to the integrity of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). Emeka Nze and Caleb Onwe both leading campaign Directors for Mr Victorson Agbenson and Johnchuks Onuanyim (chairmanship aspirants) should be viewed as representatives of the interests of others rather than impartial voices in the council.
“Their allegiance to certain figures in the upcoming election speaks volumes about their true intentions. If there is anyone who should distance himself from the FCT Council, it is Patrick Osadebamwen, Ochiaka Ugwu, and their supporters, who were unanimously removed from office by a full Congress presided over by Osadebamwen himself.
“Yet, Emeka continues to cause chaos and attempts to present himself as a representative of the council’s concerned members, while he is, in fact, central to the crises that have repeatedly hindered progress within the council. Emeka Nze who is an Imposter suddenly became best friend to the immediate chairman of council after exposing the corruption scandal of Mr Patrick Osadebamwe led government involved in a 40 million naira scandal he queried at congress.
He said “ Mr Chairman the reason why there are stories about the 40 million naira deal is because your government has never given financial records and you lack transparency in your dealings” this led to the immediate chairman calling he to strike a deal.
“The sudden romance with the immediate past council chairman, led to a promise to make him the chairman of the credentials Committee, which was exposed and rejected at the Congress. Since then he has become a bitter man with an unhealed wound.
“The National Secretariat has maintained strict adherence to the union’s constitution. Ironically, the very individuals who praised council members as suitable leaders when they served their interests now label those same individuals as unqualified. The individual who oversaw previous elections and upheld democratic values in the council is now derogatorily referred to as a “quack” simply because he no longer serves their agendas. Such double standards reveal the short-sightedness and self-serving nature of these accusations.
“The authentic NUJ members in the FCT Council have made a clear decision to reclaim their council from those who would undermine it. Unfortunately, the rejected former leaders cling to any remaining influence, desperate to retain a foothold in the council. Their strategies, including resources allegedly drawn from external backers with political connections, expose their intent to influence the council’s leadership.
“As genuine leaders committed to the council’s future, we must stand firm and assert our position. The time has come for the council to prioritize integrity and transparency, and we, the true representatives of the council’s values, are resolute in taking back our council from those who seek only personal gain.
“NUJ is a professional organization dedicated to upholding the integrity of Nigerian journalism. Allegations must be substantiated with evidence rather than grounded in personal vendettas or electioneering tactics. The union’s leadership, including President Isiguzo, is committed to transparency and the fair, democratic election of representatives without the undue influence of personal interests.
“If the genuine concern of Nze and his group is the welfare of the NUJ, their focus would be on fostering unity and adherence to ethical principles rather than casting aspersions. Instead of crying foul about an imagined “constitutional crisis,” it is incumbent upon all NUJ members to engage in the democratic process with integrity, putting the interests of the union above personal ambitions.
“In the end, this attempt to destabilize the FCT Council reveals a desire for influence rather than accountability. True leaders unite rather than divide, and NUJ members must recognize that the stability of the union depends on collective integrity and truth, not on the shifting alliances of individuals whose motivations appear self-serving.
“Recall that the duo Emeka and Caleb had sworn that a woman cannot be in a leadership position according to the Ibo tradition while the immediate past chairman had sworn that over his dead body will a female gender lead the union.
“Recently after Emeka Nze’s efforts to sway some journalists to support his preferred candidate for Chairmanship, Mr John Chucks failed, he turned back to term them as woman wrapper. It is not strange to us, as we are aware of his unreliable characteristics.
Unfortunately they are being remote controlled “by the immediate past chairman of council to the hatchet job without putting on their thinking cap. They have all been thrown into confusion in recent times as their efforts continue to meet a dead end. For every move they make and statements from him and his cohorts is the handiwork of the immediate past Chairman.
Also recall that Emeka Nze was said to have “been loaned the sum of N100,000 from the council purse nine years ago to travel to the US and to date couldn’t pay back the said sum. Now that all their evil machinations and mischievous attempts to stop the leading aspirant for.the chairmanship has failed, they are now crying foul like chickens beaten by heavy rains.
“According to reports by a former chairman of council, Emeka Nze years back as a nominee to a US trip from Blueprint, disparaged his medium, when he listed his medium Blueprint, owned by the present Minister of Information, as part of media houses that refused to pay salaries alleging that he was owed 8 months salary.
“He thought the forum would pay him but he was disappointed. This was after his medium approved monies for him to make the trip. He is a snitch, disgruntled and negative minded fellow seeking relevance and attention.
“The revolution is real they can’t stop it. We reiterate that, the NUJ FCT Transparency Group is committed to peaceful, free and fair elections for the birth of a new NUJ FCT.
“Why is Emeka Nze and his cohorts scared of going to the poll?”