By Emeka Nwokocha
The Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, Comrade Mike Ikeogwu, Thursday, 5 March, reaffirmed his vow not to circumvent the union’s constitution no matter any prompting, and courageously inaugurated a 5-man Election and Credential Committee to kick start the process for a fresh election in June.
Ikeogwu, while inaugurating the Credential Committee during the March segment of the Union’s Congress, held at the permanent Secretariat of the Union, charged the members of the Committee to adhere strictly to the Union’s constitution while carrying out the job assigned to them.
He said, “I charge you (Credential Committee) to carry out this exercise in tandem with NUJ Constitution; don’t give in to pressure from anybody; you should be roundly transparent as the constitution remains your bible that guides you on this important task you have set out to accomplish.”
Continuing, Comrade Ikeogwu, enjoined members of NUJ to cooperate with the Committee to enable them do their job effectively.
“I am calling on our members to cooperate with you as you begin this assignment. You should utilize the time judiciously and hit the ground running.
In the same vein, Ikeogwu advised all aspirants in the forthcoming election to go about the process without heating up the polity, noting that the Union had come out of avoidable turbulence, a sad development he would not want recur in the guise of an election.
Responding, Chairman of the Committee, Comrade Godwin Okoh, assured the Congress that his Committee would not succumb to any form of intimidation from any quarters, saying the Committee would be fully guided by the Union’s Constitution to ensure the election is conducted credibly and transparently.
He said, “I crave your support to enable us deliver on the assignment given to us by the NUJ. I thank the Chairman of our great union, Comr. Mike Ikeogwu and the entire executive body for doing the needful in setting up the Credential Committee in harmony with the provisions of the NUJ Constitution. We would not succumb to any form of intimation in carrying out this important assignment, as we would abide wholly by the constitution and ensure the election is conducted credibly and transparently.
Other members of the Committee include Kenneth Obieh, who would serve as Secretary, Dew Wilson, Abel Johngold and Vicky Okies.
