Benue NUJ correspondents’ chapel withdraws from state council activities

The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, has announced its withdrawal from all engagements organised by the state council, citing rising internal disagreements with the leadership.

The decision was reached during an emergency congress held on May 27, 2026, at the Correspondents’ Chapel office in Makurdi, according to a communiqué issued after the meeting.

In the statement signed by the Chapel Chairman, Comrade Martins Kajo, and Secretary, John Shiaondo, members said the withdrawal remains in force until issues raised against the state leadership are addressed and resolved.

The chapel also instructed its representatives serving in the State Working Committee, State Executive Council, and other committees to step aside from all related duties pending further notice.

The journalists further passed a vote of no confidence in the Chairman of the NUJ Benue State Council, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, accusing him of “unruly behaviour and repeated public embarrassment of the union over monetary issues.”

They also alleged that the chairman’s actions had contributed to divisions within the union, claiming he sidelined genuine members while allegedly engaging individuals who are not recognised members, alongside frequent public disputes linked to financial matters.

Concerns were also raised over alleged financial mismanagement within the council, including claims that the leadership failed to properly account for funds generated from schools owned by the union as well as donations received.

According to the communiqué, the chapel questioned the handling of N2 million reportedly generated from the council-owned schools, alongside another N3 million allegedly paid by the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Wannune, for the procurement of chairs.

It further alleged that out of the N10 million, a bus and palm trees donated by Governor Hyacinth Alia to the union, N3.5 million had allegedly not been properly accounted for.

Members also faulted the alleged commercialisation of the NUJ bus, claiming journalists were sometimes asked to pay up to N50,000 before accessing it for official duties.

The chapel additionally distanced itself from a recent communiqué issued by the NUJ Benue State Council, especially the reported vote of no confidence against the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula.

They maintained that the position did not reflect the true decision of members present at the congress, alleging that non-professionals and hired individuals influenced the outcome of that meeting.

However, the Correspondents’ Chapel passed a vote of confidence in Governor Hyacinth Alia, his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, and other media aides, praising their cooperation with journalists and their contributions to the state’s development.