Court

A new legal challenge is brewing within the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as a pressure group, the Kwara Integrity Group, threatens to sue the union’s National President, Chief Chris Isiguzo, if the Credentials Screening Committee fails to disqualify all members of the Federal Information Chapels across the country from participating in the forthcoming national election, unless they pay a professional fee of N60,000.

The national election, the 8th Triennial Delegate Conference, is scheduled for November in Owerri, Imo State.

The brewing conflict stems from an incident during the union’s July 31st election in Kwara State, where Isiguzo imposed an annual due of N25,000 on all members of the Federal Information Chapel before they could participate.

This move marked a deviation from the union’s standard practices and appears to have far-reaching consequences for members of the Federal Information Chapels nationwide.

“The unfolding events in Kwara State and the impending court battle could have long-lasting effects on the NUJ. First, the disqualification of Federal Information Chapel members raises questions about the fairness and inclusivity of the union’s election processes. The sudden imposition of fees on members who were not traditionally required to pay such amounts creates a perception of unequal treatment within the union, which could erode trust in its leadership,” the group emphasized.

The Kwara Integrity Group points to Isiguzo’s decision in the July 31st election as setting a precedent that, in their view, could disenfranchise members of the Federal Information Chapel across the country.

They argue that the president’s move implies that these chapel members are not fully integrated into the union’s check-off system as mandated by the amended NUJ constitution. The constitution provides that union dues should be deducted from members’ salaries automatically, but the Federal Information Chapels reportedly operate outside this arrangement.

The Kwara Integrity Group’s position is that if the national Credentials Screening Committee clears any Federal Information Chapel members to participate in the forthcoming Owerri elections without paying the newly imposed N60,000 professional fee, it will file another lawsuit. This legal standoff is not an isolated incident for Isiguzo, who has faced similar accusations of constitutional breaches in the past. Critics argue that the president’s actions are an attempt to centralize power and silence opposition within the union by manipulating the electoral process.

It will be recalled that a prominent casualty of this policy change was Fadeyi Babajide, a former Zonal Secretary from the Federal Information Chapel, who was disqualified from contesting in the Kwara election. The reason given for his disqualification was his failure to pay the required N25,000 annual dues, a sum not previously enforced.

Despite Babajide making an additional payment of N50,000 to the NUJ’s account, Isiguzo still disqualified him from the race, allegedly fearing that Babajide would defeat his preferred candidate.

Following the disqualification, Babajide and other similarly affected members of the Kwara State Council have taken the matter to court, accusing Isiguzo of violating the union’s constitution. The plaintiffs are seeking nullification of the election and an order for a fresh election that adheres to the constitutional provisions of the NUJ.

The group insists that this legal action is necessary to protect the future integrity of the union and to correct what they see as a deliberate manipulation of the election process.

Should this matter proceed to court, it could have significant implications for the forthcoming national election in Owerri. If the court rules in favour of Babajide and other disqualified members, it may trigger a re-examination of the election process and possibly lead to a new election for the Kwara State Council.

Moreover, a broader ruling might compel the NUJ leadership to reconsider the imposition of the N60,000 professional fee for Federal Information Chapel members nationwide.

The Kwara Integrity Group’s threat to escalate this issue to the national stage could also cast a shadow over the upcoming election in November, as it suggests growing dissatisfaction with Isiguzo’s leadership style.

The imposition of fees not previously enforced has raised questions about the transparency and fairness of the electoral process within the union. If unresolved, this internal rift may deepen tensions within the NUJ and weaken its cohesion as a professional body.

Isiguzo, who has been at the helm of the NUJ since 2018, faces the possibility of legal challenges that could disrupt the smooth conduct of the national election in November.

With members of the Kwara Integrity Group vowing to fight to the “logical conclusion,” it remains to be seen whether the NUJ leadership will address these concerns through dialogue or allow the matter to be settled in court.

The NUJ may find itself at a crossroads as the issue of dues and the disqualification of members takes centre stage. The case highlights the importance of adhering to the union’s constitution and ensuring fairness in its electoral processes. If not handled carefully, this conflict could have long-lasting repercussions for the union’s credibility and unity, particularly as the 8th National Triennial Delegate Conference approaches.