‘Where is the balance?’ — Kwara NUJ congress nearly turns physical over financial report

The monthly Congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council, on Wednesday nearly turned physical following a heated dispute over the council’s financial report and alleged administrative irregularities.

The Congress, which reportedly began peacefully, became tense during the presentation of the council’s financial statement after both the Financial Secretary and Treasurer were absent.

The Council Secretary, Olayinka Alaya, reportedly presented the financial report on behalf of the absent officials, allegedly on the instruction of the Council Chairman, Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed.

The presentation immediately drew concerns from members, particularly over the absence of what they described as basic accounting details, including the “balance brought forward” and “balance brought down.”

Members reportedly questioned how the Congress could ascertain the council’s total revenue, expenditure and current financial position without the figures.

A former Kwara NUJ Chairman, Umar Abdulwahab, subsequently raised a point of order, arguing that the document could not be regarded as a proper financial statement without the necessary balances.

The situation became more contentious when Chairman Ahmed reportedly defended the report, arguing that financial statements presented by the national body at the National Executive Council (NEC) level also sometimes omit such balances.

The explanation reportedly failed to calm the situation as members continued to raise objections and demand greater transparency.

Tension escalated when Ahmed allegedly interrupted further observations and referred to the former chairman as “stupid” during the Congress.

The remark reportedly angered members and nearly resulted in a physical confrontation, with some attendees moving to restrain the parties involved.

The Council Secretary, Alaya, and former Zonal Secretary (Zone B), Hakeem Oladitoye, were also accused by some members of attempting to prevent further objections.

Oladitoye reportedly later engaged in a verbal exchange with the Chairman of the State Information Chapel, Adamu.

The Congress also witnessed concerns over the Herald Chapel, where members alleged that no elected executive committee had been in place for more than a year.

According to the allegations raised during the meeting, the chapel had continued to operate under a caretaker committee headed by Oladitoye without a fresh election.

Meanwhile, members called for greater financial accountability, transparency and adherence to the NUJ constitution in the administration of the state council.

However, the Congress was reportedly abruptly adjourned by the chairman amid the disagreements, bringing further deliberations on the issues to an end.

The development has since prompted calls from aggrieved members for the NUJ National Secretariat to intervene, examine the council’s financial records and investigate the alleged breaches of constitutional and administrative procedures in the Kwara State Council.