Idoma-born Journalist, Yemi Itodo cries out as Abuja NUJ acting chairman manipulates Union’s election

Idoma-born journalist, Yemi Itodo, an aspirant for the position of chairmanship, Correspondent chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abuja, has accused the acting chairman of the union in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Primus Khanoba, of upturning his legally won election, to pave way for his crony.

It was earlier reported that Itodo was declared winner of the correspondents chapel’s election held in Abuja Saturday alongside other officials for various positions.

But 7 hours after the election, Khanoba, at an FCT council congress, declared that the election be redone next Saturday, saying there was a petition against the conduct of the election.

Addressing Journalists shortly after the council congress, Itodo said the position of the Council was illegal, biased and partisanship.

Itodo cautioned that, should anything happens to the mandate openly given to him and members of his new exco, it will result in litigation.

“If we as Journalists, will run to the press in a hurry to criticise politicians for election manoeuvring, why then should we not set pace and live up to our name? How do you upturn legally conducted election without any ground, just on mere sentiments that you want to carry some people along?

“The candidate he is trying to foist only indicated interest after the whole process of nomination was ended and list of cleared aspirants published. Despite that, the council allegedly prevailed on the crediential committee to admit him. He was invited for an interview through the window on Wednesday but didn’t show up. How is that our fault?

“During the election, they went and mobilised hoodlums and non-members of the chapel to come and disrupt the process, but the Nigeria Police overpowered them and they could not move the ballot box. They now resorted to petition writing.

“And Khanoba, without hearing from any of the newly elected officials, took a unilateral decision and imposed it on the council. We will not allow this, we shall test this in court. The new National President shall look into this. The union is not for sale”, Itodo said.

At the chapel election on Saturday, Itodo was returned as chairman, while Collins Ajibola was returned as Vice Chairman, Raphael Oni as Secretary, Lesley Otu as Treasurer and Samson Adebayo as Auditor.