Dare Akogun vows to challenge NUJ election result in court

The Chairmanship Candidate in the 2024 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kwara State Chapter election, has declared the election as the most shambolic and kangaroo process in the history of the union.

In a statement by Abdullah Dare Akogun, detailed several anomalies and violations that marred the election, held on July 31, 2024.

The statement cited the flagrant disregard for a court order from the National Industrial Court, which had issued a summons to halt the election. Despite this legal directive, the National Secretariat of the NUJ proceeded with the election, blatantly ignoring judicial authority.

Akogun also highlighted the use of financial inducements aimed at electoral officials, security operatives, and voters.

Akogun described this misconduct as a gross undermining of the electoral process’s integrity.

In an unprecedented move, voters’ names were printed on ballot papers in what was supposed to be a secret ballot election, effectively nullifying voter privacy and secrecy.

Akogun further pointed out the massive disenfranchisement of bona fide and financial members of the union through a doctored delegates’ list, which excluded many legitimate members from participating in the election.

These concerns were reportedly brought to the attention of the national secretariat well before the election day, but were ignored. The involvement of officials from the national secretariat, who were expected to be impartial observers, in the electoral process raised further questions about the election’s fairness and transparency.

Akogun announced his intention to challenge the election outcome in court, vowed to continue the fight for justice and the integrity of the union.