Election into the Executive of the Nigeria Union of the NUJ,Rivers State Council, planned for Thursday,,12th August appears to have suffered a setback following violence at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, venue of the election.
Members had filed into the centre to cast their votes for their preferred candidates as early as 8.a.m when a faction reportedly supported by the state Ministry of Information stormed the premises requesting for publication of the delegates list.
It was gathered that the police were sent in by the government, in a move observed by some of the accredited journalists as “war against some candidates in the election.”
On Wednesday, candidates were given the privilege to set their agendas in a manifesto night organised by the Credential Committee.
A total of 13 candidates are vying for 7 offices in ithe council election namely Chairman,Vice Chairman, Secretary, Assistant Secretary,Treasurer, Financial Secretary and Auditor .
Security men and some hoodlums said to be imported into the venue by dissenting voices have reportedly asked legitimate members of the union to move out of the council premises.
Some of the crowded members interviewed by current matters expressed shock and disbelief of the ongoing scenario saying”So NUJ election has become the interest of government? .
” We are used to having a free, fair and credible election by ourselves so what has changed” one asked.
If they like let them bring in all the police, Army,Airforce , What will be will be.We cannot allow them to decide for us.another snapped.
The NUJ holds its annual convention once in 3 years. The office of the Chairman is being sought by the incumbent, Stanley Job Stanley of Radio Rivers Chapel and Paul Bazia of the Ministry of Information Chapel.
