NUJ Lagos Constitutes Five-Member Electoral Committee Ahead of Council Poll

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, has constituted a five-member Credentials Committee to conduct the forthcoming election of the council.

The committee was constituted during the August Congress of the union held at the NUJ Secretariat in Lagos, in accordance with the NUJ Constitution, which provides for the constitution of an electoral committee three months before the expiration of an administration.

Those nominated by members to serve on the committee are Wahab Akinlade of Radio Nigeria; Abraham Akpabio of the Correspondents Chapel; Oluwakemi Shitta-Bey of the Federal Information Chapel; Bayo Akomolafe of New Telegraph; and Olatunde Ekundayo of the Lagos Information Chapel.

Akinlade was subsequently nominated as chairman of the five-member committee.

The committee is expected to oversee the electoral process and ensure that the election is free, fair, transparent and credible.

Chairman of the NUJ Lagos State Council, Adeleye Ajayi, charged members of the committee to remain upright and impartial in the discharge of their duties, urging them to be guided by the provisions of the NUJ Constitution.

Speaking on his nomination, Akinlade described the responsibility as a “rare privilege”, expressing appreciation for the confidence reposed in him by members of the union.

He assured journalists that the committee would conduct its duties with fairness, transparency, impartiality and integrity, while ensuring that all eligible members are given a level playing field.

“I am deeply honoured to accept this responsibility as Chairman of the Electoral Committee for this election. I sincerely appreciate the confidence reposed in me and the opportunity to serve our great Union at this important moment,” Akinlade said.

He appealed to contestants and delegates to conduct themselves with maturity, discipline and sportsmanship throughout the electoral process.

Akinlade also reminded members that the election should not undermine the unity of the union, stressing that journalists would remain members of the same professional family regardless of the outcome of the poll.

“Beyond the election, we remain members of one professional family with a shared responsibility to strengthen the NUJ,” he said.

The constitution of the committee has effectively set the stage for the electoral season in the Lagos State Council, with attention expected to shift to the emergence of candidates and the programmes they will present to members.

The process is also expected to enable members to assess the candidates and make informed choices when the council goes to the polls.