The Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is embroiled in a heated internal conflict following accusations against the Council Chairman, Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed, for attempting to suppress dissenting voices.
The controversy has intensified since the July 31st election, which many members claim was marred by irregularities. The election, still under legal challenge, has become a flashpoint, with far-reaching implications for the National NUJ election slated for November.
The most recent uproar stems from Abdullateef’s decision to remove certain members from the NUJ WhatsApp platform, a move that has sparked outrage within the union.
Among those silenced was the immediate past Secretary of the union, Comrade Omotayo Ayanda, who had posted a critical story alleging that the National NUJ President, Chief Chris Isiguzo had manipulated the Kwara election results.
Ayanda’s removal from the platform has fueled speculation that Abdullateef is attempting to eliminate all forms of criticism, with some members likening his leadership style to military dictatorship.
It would be recalled that after the first monthly congress after the disputed election the chairman removed chairmanship candidate in the election Abdullahi Dare Akogun, former zonal secretary Fadeyi Babajide and Saka Laaro who are challenging the outcome of the election in court.
The embattled Council Chairman’s actions are a blatant attempt to silence those who dare to speak the truth, said one aggrieved member. “This is no longer about leadership but about integrity and the future of our union.”
The July 31st election, now being contested in court, has exposed deep fractures within the Kwara NUJ. Allegations of vote manipulation and other irregularities have led to widespread dissatisfaction.
Some members have openly questioned the legitimacy of Abdullateef’s leadership, and many believe that the outcome of the legal challenge will be a litmus test for the union’s credibility.
The implications of this internal struggle extend beyond the Kwara Council with the upcoming National election in November hanging in the balance.
Should the court rule in favour of the aggrieved members, it may cast doubt on the entire electoral process within the NUJ, raising questions about the integrity of leadership at the National level.
The ongoing crisis within the Kwara NUJ has revealed a worrying trend: the growing disconnect between leadership and the members they are meant to represent. Abdullateef’s handling of internal dissent has drawn sharp criticism, with his tactics described as authoritarian and out of touch with the principles of transparency and accountability that the union claims to uphold.
His decision to remove critical voices from the union’s WhatsApp platform speaks to a broader issue within the NUJ—an unwillingness to engage in open dialogue. For a body whose mission includes safeguarding freedom of speech and journalistic integrity, this kind of suppression could undermine the credibility of the Kwara NUJ in the eyes of both its members and the public.
The upcoming court case is crucial not only for the Kwara Council but for the National NUJ as a whole. If the election is found to have been manipulated, it could shake the foundations of the union’s democratic processes. On the other hand, a ruling in favour of Abdullateef could embolden similar leadership tactics elsewhere, setting a dangerous precedent.
As the November National election approaches, all eyes will be on Kwara Court case. How the union resolves this crisis will signal the direction in which the NUJ is heading, both in terms of internal democracy and its broader role in defending press freedom and journalistic ethics in Nigeria.
Will the union embrace transparency and reform, or will it continue down a path of suppression and control? The coming months may provide the answer, but for now, the Kwara NUJ remains a union in disarray.
