NUJ President Chris Isiguzo defends elongation of tenure

President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Christopher Isiguzo

Published By: Ayorinde Oluokun

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) President, Chris Isiguzo has defended the move to extend his tenure and that of the other members of the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the union by six weeks. .

This followed allegations by a journalist, Mr Abdulwaheed Adubi, that the extension of the tenure of the NUJ President and other members of his CWC was illegal

Adubi had sued the union and Chris Isiguzo, over alleged plan of tenure elongation at the National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja.

The claimant, in the suit marked: NICN/ABJ/328/2024 dated Sept. 9 and filed Sept. 10 through his lawyer, Ibrahim Bawa, SAN, sued the NUJ and Isiguzo as 1st and 2nd defendants.

Adubi who said he intends to participate in the 8th Triennial National Delegates Conference scheduled for November in Imo, alleged that the union was acting in violations of some provisions of its Constitution 2023 (as amended) by the extension of tenure

He averred that the NUJ National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Aug. 9 lacked the power to extend the tenure of the members of the Central Working Committee (CWC) whose tenure is expected to terminate on Oct. 6.

In the suit, he relied on Article 5(a)(3) of NUJ Constitution.

The provision state: ”Triennial National Delegates’ Conference shall be held every three (3) years at venues to be decided by the NEC for the purposes of receiving and reviewing reports and accounts; revising the constitution if and when necessary; deciding on questions of general policy raised upon notice by any member, chapel or council to the NEC through the national secretariat of the union; and electing national officers of the union”.

However, the NUJ, in a statement issued by its National Secretary, Achike Chude on Thursday in Abuja, said the allegations leveled by Adubi regarding supposed tenure elongation, suggested a worrying ignorance of the workings of the union.

Chude said in the statement that the request to extend the CWC’s tenure by six weeks was made collectively, in the best interest of the union, not by any individual acting unilaterally.

According to him, the decision followed revelation during the NEC meeting of the NUJ on August 9, 2024, that over 60 percent of the union’s chapels had not met their financial obligations, as required by Article 5(A6) and Article 6(7e) of the NUJ Constitution.

“This presented a real risk of disenfranchising a large number of members from participating in the upcoming Triennial National Delegates’ Conference.

“Recognising this, two respected NEC members moved a motion calling for a six-week extension to give councils time to settle their dues and ensure a fair, inclusive process.

“The motion was unanimously adopted by the meeting attended by 76 out of 101 NEC members,” he did.

Chude added that the NEC approved Imo State as the host for the union conference, contingent upon the readiness of their facilities by November.

“ This decision was based on practical logistics, not personal whims.

“Precedent also supports this action, as previous CWC extensions of two to three months have been granted in similar circumstances, without controversy,” Chude said.

The national secretary said that Adubi’s call for the court to dissolve the CWC and hand over the union’s leadership to council secretaries and chairmen was not only absurd but also contradictory.

Chude said that over 90 percent of the very individuals he wished to take over the union were present at the NEC meeting and part of the decision-making process.

He said that the individuals also supported the motions that established the timeline for the 2024 Triennial Delegates’ Conference, in accordance with the constitution.

“His demand is not only impractical but also highlights a lack of understanding of the democratic processes that govern our union,” he said.

Chude said that the purported defense of the constitution by Adubi while commendable in theory, was deeply flawed.

He said that in Adubi’s haste to embarrass the union he claimed to care for, he seems to have conveniently overlooked Article 7, Section 2 (vi) of the NUJ Constitution.

The section according to him clearly stipulates that no member shall resort to legal action against the Union without first exhausting all internal conflict resolution mechanisms.

“Adubi, unfortunately, has chosen to bypass these internal processes, opting instead for courtroom theatrics.

Chude, however, said that in spite the noise, as of this moment, the NUJ had not been officially served any legal documents regarding this matter.

“Any claims of pending court action remain speculative. Should the need arise, we are fully prepared to address the situation within the legal framework, in line with our constitution,” Chude said.

Chude said that in a time when some non-democratic regimes seek to extend power illegitimately for years or even indefinitely, it was ironic and laughable, that the NUJ was being accused of extending the tenure of its leadership by a mere six weeks.

He noted that the same NUJ National President, Chris Isiguzo, being accused of attempting to elongate his tenure had during the 2023 Constitutional Review Conference in Kano vehemently opposed recommendations by the Constitutional Amendment Committee to elongate the tenure of the CWC by one year.

He urged the union members and the public to disregard the baseless allegations, saying the union will continue to work towards conducting the upcoming elections in the most transparent and constitutional manner.

“The NUJ remains committed to transparency, fairness, and adherence to its constitution.

“The NEC, as the highest decision-making body outside the Delegates’ Conference, acted within its constitutional powers (Article 5(2-B8)) in setting the dates for the upcoming elections.

“The claim that this is an undemocratic tenure elongation is both misinformed and misleading,” Chude said.

He added that as the leading body representing journalists across Nigeria, the NUJ holds free speech in the highest regard, but that must also be grounded in responsibility and not be used as a tool for mischief or malice.