As activities for election of new executive into the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) council, gathers momentum, a group, Concerned Stakeholders and Journalists, has called for the dissolution of the Credential Committee, for the interest peace and progress of the union.
In a statement which was made available to New National Star on Tuesday, the stakeholders noted that the Credential Committee, headed by one Henry Umoru, a staff of Vanguard Newspaper, is illegal and should be disbanded.
The statement, which was signed by Emeka Nze (Blueprint) and Caleb Onwe (New Telegraph), pointed out that Mr Henry Umoru is evidently the NUJ national president’s executioner, in his desperate bid to foist a candidate on the council.
The group stated that Mr Umoru should rescind his illegal and egoistic foray of parading himself as the chairman of the Kangaroo, unconstitutional and criminal Credentials Committee, which, according to them, was hastily created to handover the Council to the highest bidder.
“That he, Henry Umoru, a staff of the Vanguard Newspaper, is a well known Journalist, but unqualified member of the Union whom, according to Article 3(1&2), continues to parade himself in flagrant violation of Article 3 of the NUJ Constitution.
Hence, is best described as a Quack, with no locus standi to be a member of any Credential Committee, to screen aspirants to the leadership of any such professional body.
That the presence of Henry Umor, or any such as him, who are in violation of Article 3 or 4 or any section of the constitution, is akin to having thugs take over the Body of Benchers in the Nigerian Judiciary, or the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), where crucial, sensitive and critical decisions regarding these professional bodies are made,” the statement said.
The group also warned the national president of the NUJ, Chris Isiguzo, and his associates at the national secretariat of the union, to henceforth, desist from unnecessary interference in the affairs of the FCT Council, and should as a matter of fact, become a passive observer, until when called upon by the provisions of necessary and relevant sections of the union’s Constitution.
The statement also called on Chris Isiguzo to tow the path of caution and listen to the voice of reasons, by rescinding the ill-advised pursuit to impose a preferred person on the leadership of the FCT council, without allowing the constitutional criteria to be followed.
The group added that Isiguzo must act within the ambience of the Constitution, and in fairness and balance to all parties involved.