Akogun calls for nullification of Kwara NUJ election results over alleged irregularities

A chairmanship candidate in the recent Kwara State Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) election, Abdullahi Dare Akogun called for the nullification of the election results over alleged fraud and irregularities and violations of the NUJ constitution during the council election held on July 31, 2024

Recall that Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed of the state-owned Herald newspaper was reelected in the election which was held on Wednesday, July 31 in Ilorin

In his complaint letter dated August 2, 2024 and addressed to the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the union, Akogun cited the improper constitution of the credentials committee and its questionable activities, printing of voter’s names on ballot papers, intimidation, harassment and threatening of the voters and financial inducement of voters among other irregularities that mared the election.

In his appeal, Akogun invoked Article 5, Section 10, and Article 7, Section 2(vi) of the NUJ Constitution, which allows aggrieved candidates to challenge election outcomes within 21 days, after which if not satisfied can approach a competent court of law 

He urged the committee to review these issues dispassionately and take necessary actions to ensure justice and fairness in the electoral process.

Akogun had in the previous election lost to the same opponent.

The letter reads in full;

The Central Working Committee (CWC) Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)

Through:

The National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), National Secretariat, FCT, Abuja.

Through: The National Secretary, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ),

Dear Members,

COMPLAINT AGAINST THE PROCESS AND CONDUCT OF THE 2024 KWARA NUJ ELECTION

1, Dare Akogun of Sobi FM Chapel and a Chairmanship Candidate in the 2024 Kwara NUJ Election hereby formally lodge a complaint of Violation of the Union’s Constitution, Fraud and Irregularities in the process and conduct of the Council election held on 31st of July, 2024 to the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

As a Chairmanship Candidate, I want to bring it to your attention several irregularities and breaches of the NUJ Constitution that marred the entire electoral processes.

1. Improper Constitution of the Credentials Committee: The Council Chairman, Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed unilaterally nominated the Chairman and Secretary of the Committee, and fraudulently sign a letter with the Assistant Secretary, Olayinka Alaya, seeking for the approval of the members of the committee without the consent of the Council Secretary, Omotayo Ayanda and other SWC members, which the National Secretariat honoured. This contravene standard procedures and undermining the committee’s integrity. However, numerous petitions were submitted to the National Secretariat, but all to no avail.
2. Questionable Activities of the Credentials Screening Committee: From the outset, the activities and conduct of the Credentials Screening Committee raised significant doubts about their ability to conduct credible election. This includes the timetable released by the committee, no time for claims and objections and no time for candidates to campaign for votes among others.
   Concerned members expressed their dissatisfaction with these activities, which were also ignored by the National Secretariat.
3. Printing of Voters’ Names on Ballot Papers: In a move that completely undermined the secret ballot principle, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Union, voters’ identities such as Chapels of voters, names of voters, serial numbers of voters were printed on each vote’s ballot papers. This unprecedented action compromised voter privacy and conscience. This affected the integrity and fairness of the electoral process.
4. Intimidation, Harassment and Threatening of Voters: Apart from using the security agencies from intimidating eligible voters, official and agents were threatening eligible voters, especially those who are civil servants that if they did not vote for a particular candidates they would be sacked in office because they will later identity who they voted for.
5. Financial inducement: Financial Compensation were given to voters since they were able to identify the candidates they voted for.
6. Disenfranchisement of Members: There was massive disenfranchisement of bona fide and financial members through a doctored delegates’ list. Many legitimate members were excluded from participating in the election, raising serious questions about the credibility of the voters’ list.
7. No room for Claims and Objections: Despite that there was no space for Claims and Objections, Every effort made by chapel leaders to object to the purported fake lists pasted by the Credentials Committee to the National Secretariat proved abortive.
8. Resolutions from the Emergency SEC Meeting: On July 30, 2024, an emergency meeting of the State Executive Committee (SEC) of the Kwara State Council was convened. The SEC observed the following irregularities and several infringement of the union constitution:

a. Clear irregularities in the committee’s activities, leading to a non-credible election.

b. Substitution of eligible voters’ names with non-eligible individuals.

c. Missing names of financial members from the list, particularly from Correspondents’, Information, and Unilorin Chapels.

d. The list did not reflect the true list submitted and paid for by the Chapels.

e. The continued presence of Bolaji Gobir as Secretary of credentials committee despite his resignation from Kwara TV and new employment in Abuja Council, rendered the process invalid.

f. Out of all Federal Chapels, comprising, Unilorin, NTA, and Harmony FM, only Federal Information were excluded despite having their dues deducted from source through IPPIS.

g. A vote of no confidence was passed on the 2024 Kwara Credentials Screening Committee, and a call for its immediate dissolution was made. The SEC also agreed to halt the election scheduled for July 31, 2024, to prevent a breakdown of law and order, and to take over the running of the Council in line with Article 5C (da10c) of the NUJ constitution.

9. Despite bringing these infractions to the attention of the National Secretariat before Election Day, they were ignored.

In the above circumstances and in line with Article 5, Section 10 and Article 7, Section 2 (vi) of the NUJ Constitution, I respectfully request that you review these issues dispassionately and take the necessary actions to ensure justice and fairness in the electoral process. Therefore, I want you to cancel the vote of my opponent who was favoured by the credentials committee and call for a rerun of the entire processes.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Yours faithfully,

2-8-2024

Abdullahi Dare Akogun

Chairmanship Candidate, Kwara NUJ Council