by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Correspondent Chapel of the NUJ Plateau State Council held its election after months of controversy surrounding the leadership of the chapel and the imposition of candidate – which was rejected by majority members of the chapel, in July this year.
In the elections, Mrs Dorcas Gwani polled 25 votes to defeat her closest challenger, Douglas Francis, of Arise News, who scored 9 votes. Mrs. Lola Bello of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) was returned unopposed as Secretary.
Mrs Dorcas Gwani of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) emerged as Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Plateau State Council, after a decisive victory in a keenly-contested election.
Following the rejection of a candidate previously ‘imposed’ by the State NUJ, a petition was written to the National Secretariat of the NUJ, copied to the VP Zone D and also to the State Secretariat of the NUJ to come and intervene.
The National Secretariat of the VP Zone D was directed to come and reconcile both parties, where he set up a “Credentials Committee” and given it one month during which to conduct a fresh election.
History has, therefore, been made, whereby Mrs. Gwani of Radio Nigeria was elected as the Chairman Correspondent Chapel, having polled 25 votes to defeat Douglas Francis of Arise News, who scored 9 votes. Mrs. Lola Bello of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) was returned unopposed as Secretary.
The Credentials Committee includes: Miss Patience Aliyu (NAN), James Abraham and Pam Musa constituted by the VP Zone D. The election was conducted peacefully at t he NUJ Plateau State Council Jos.
The exercise brought to an end a prolonged leadership tussle that had left members of the chapel divided and awaiting a fresh opportunity to settle the matter through a recognized electoral process.
In her acceptance speech, the newly-elected Chairman, Mrs. Dorcas Gwani, commended the Electoral Committee and members of the chapel for their participation in the exercise, and pledged to “work towards unity and collective progress.”
“We have come to the end of a difficult chapter. It is time to put the differences of the past behind us and work together to strengthen the union and advance the welfare and professional interests of journalists in Plateau State,” Dorcas Gwani stated.
She said her administration would chart a new course for the Correspondents’ Chapel, with emphasis on unity, professionalism, and the welfare of members.