Members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, on Saturday, impeached their Chairman, Patrick Osadebamwe, along with the entire Executive Council (EXCO), following a contentious attempt to impose a Credentials Committee for the upcoming Council election scheduled for December 4, 2024.
The decision to impeach the leadership was reached during a state congress held at the Council Secretariat in Utako, Abuja, where members accused Osadebamwe of trying to manipulate the nomination process for the committee tasked with overseeing the election.
INDEPENDENT reports, the dispute began when the Osadebamwe-led EXCO handpicked members believed to be loyal to them to form the Credentials Committee.
Members of the Congress rejected these nominations, raising concerns over transparency and alleging that the process had been staged to favor the incumbent EXCO’s preferred candidates.
Despite protests and demands for a voting process to select the committee members, Osadebamwe and his EXCO stood firm, refusing to heed the Congress’ calls, sparking outrage among members.
It was alleged that the impeached EXCO had held secret meetings with select members on the directives of former NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Emmanuel Ogbeche, currently an aide to Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu.
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Ogbeche was accused of orchestrating the process to ensure the success of a preferred candidate in the upcoming election.
Several Congress members insisted that Ogbeche had instructed Osadebamwe to manipulate the process to favor his “anointed” candidate, reportedly with the backing of Governor Otu.
Tensions escalated during the congress meeting as members began chanting “we no go gree, we move for impeachment!” while scuffles broke out, leading to the smashing of chairs.
The EXCO then called in armed police officers to quell the unrest, but the officers were met with chants of “No police!” from the crowd, forcing them to retreat.
With the situation spiraling, more than two-thirds of the Congress members signed a petition for the immediate impeachment of the Osadebamwe-led EXCO.
Chapel chairmen subsequently assumed control of the FCT Council, pending the appointment of a caretaker committee by the NUJ National Secretariat.
Calls have been made for the NUJ national leadership to ratify the impeachment and ensure that a transparent process is put in place for the upcoming election.
