Soji Amosu , Others Remain Authentic Ogun NUJ Exco

PRESS RELEASE

Soji Amosu, others remain authentic Ogun NUJ Exco

The Ogun State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has welcome the order of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting in Ibadan, restraining certain persons from tampering with the leadership of the Union in Ogun State.

It is gratifying and heartwarming that at this critical stage of our evolution, 160 years after journalism was berthed in the country, the courts are making necessary intervention to address impunity in lots of Nigeria's public institutions and professional bodies.

On Wednesday, November 20, 2019, Justice J. D. Peters of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting in Ibadan, granted an order restraining the NUJ President, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, and 13 other respondents from interfering in the leadership of Ogun NUJ pending the hearing and determination of suit number NICN/IB/85/2019 brought before the court. Hearing of the case was later adjourned to December 4, 2019.

For the avoidance of doubt, the leadership of the Ogun State Council of NUJ remains intact and it is led by Comrade Soji Amosu as Chairman. Amosu and his executive members were elected on March 29, 2019, duly sworn in and issued Certificates of Return and this has been further affirmed by a court of competent jurisdiction.

It is instructive to note that based on the provisions of our Union's constitution and in the face of the law, the executive members elected on March 29, 2019 remained the authentic officers of the NUJ Ogun State Council. Any correspondences from whatever quarters to the effect that new officers be put in place are illegal, null and void and should be entirely disregarded by members of the public.

The appropriate government and security agencies have been notified accordingly about the subsisting court order and are fully aware of the desperate moves by certain elements and their collaborators to cause breakdown of law and order and engage in contempt of court.

We commend teeming members of Ogun NUJ who have been patient and supportive since this struggle to enthrone reign of sanity in our Union commenced. 

It should be noted that no amount of efforts by self-seeking individuals who embarked on desperate journey to subvert the will of our members and violate the provisions of our Union's constitution in plunging themselves to power, will stand. This pending court case will be pursued and sustained to a logical end to save the Union from the leprous hold of misguided few.

Also, those who on Saturday, November 23, 2019 gathered at the Iwe Irohin Press Centre to delude themselves and bask in the euphoria that they had come into elective Union offices through questionable backdoor arrangement should retrace their steps and face the reality. No member is greater than the Union. If they desire elective positions, they should follow the appropriate, laid down constitutional procedure and desist from imposing themselves on the generality of members.

While appealing to our members to continue to exercise patience, we assure the general public that the Ogun NUJ will emerge stronger and better from this avoidable conflict to be able to fulfil its watchdog role and effectively discharge its responsibilities to the society.

Signed

Ayokunle Ewuoso

Secretary