The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Saturday, 2nd August, 2025, concluded its polls that saw a record of four journalists running for the office of the chairman of the union. It was the first time two females –who did not sail through, though – contested for that office. It was also the first time that almost 700 journalists turned out to vote.
The result of the polls showed Comrade Nsibiet John of the Federated Chapel emerge chairman with 555 votes, while his opponents, Comrade Nene Affia, Effiong Edet, and Esther Effiong, all of the State Information Chapel, respectively polled 92, 21 and 4, of the 684 voters accredited for the election.
Comrades Margaret Moore and Nsikak Esenowo, of the State Information Chapel polled 393 and 419 votes, respectively, to emerge Vice Chairman and Secretary. Margaret Moore, who is the only returning member of the outgone EXCO had served as Vice Chairman in the outgone leadership.
Comrades Uduak Akai (Assistant Secretary), Kufre Emmanuel (Financial Secretary), Udeme Hosea (Treasurer), and Dianaime Uko (Auditor), were returned unopposed. The results were declared by Comrades Dokubo Opaka, (Zonal Vice President), and John Angese (Zonal Secretary), who also supervised the elections.
Thankfully, the three chairmanship candidates who lost, have, WatchmanPost can authoritatively report, conceded defeat, admitting that it was a contest, and not a war. That is the spirit of the game and we recommend it to the Nigerian politicians who see public office as a booty that must be grabbed, smashed and scrammed off with.
WatchmanPost in like manner congratulates the winners of the polls and hopes they extend like camaraderie to the losers. We wish to also congratulate the Amos Etuk-led State Executive Council on conducting a largely successful poll.
Similarly, we commend the Akwa Ibom State Government for donating brand new cars to members of the outgone state EXCO of the union. Now that the new officers have assumed duties, WatchmanPost feels obligated, as a major stakeholder in the media confraternity, to call on the new team and the NUJ family, to begin to take stock of the events leading up to the elections, and the day after.
Recall that the NUJ was founded 15 March, 1955 in Lagos, during Nigeria’s battle for independence from predatory Britain. Led by its pioneer President, Mobolaji Odunewu and Olu Oyesanya, as Secretary, the NUJ, then operating wholly as a trade union, was a powerful voice for journalists amid censorship chalenges from the colonial government. It has since grown into a trade and professional body.
The new leaders in Akwa Ibom must not lose sight of the fact of this dual identity. They must, therefore, not see themselves as extensions of, but partners with, government. Where the government serves the interests of the people as it is its responsibility to do, the NUJ should commend and encourage it. But where the government does otherwise, the
Union should be bold to say so, and suggest better alternatives.
This is how to earn government and public confidence and trust. As a trade Union, the new leaders must put the interest of the collective ahead of the personal. The best way to do so is to be transparent and accountable, responsive and responsible to their members. The new NUJ leaders and their supporters should be humble in victory and reach out to their opponents who lost the election and make them comfortable in the union.
We need to point out that the costs of nomination forms were simply scandalous and outrageous Collecting N200,000.00 as nomination form cost for the chairmanship was simply extortionist, and presented the winners of the ballot a misplaced rationale to engage in malfeasance while in office. The new and subsequent leaderships must not allow this show of immorality to repeat going forward. Journalists cannot be condemning politicians for their greed weevil mentality, but turn a blind eye to similar wrongs they themselves do.
The chairmanship, vice chairmanship and secretaryship of the union are now in the hands of those who campaigned together under the slogan of “The Service Team.” Journalists would be waiting and watching to see what service they would deliver to the press constituency.The new chairman has been given a massive support, which places a huge burden on his shoulders, and by extension, his team’s as well. He should constantly refer to his manifesto, which he called a ‘covenant’ with his colleagues.
The new team should equally take a closer look at the membership of the Union with intent on carrying out inhouse cleaning within the confines of the NUJ Constitution. WatchmanPost is aware of some acclaimed members of the Union who do not work, write or report for any recognized media outfit. Article 3 of the NUJ constitution specifically provides that to be qualified for registration as a member on the NUJ, a person must inter alia have “a working experience of not less than 12 months in a recognized media establishment.”
Curiously, these persons, who, on the score of this provision do not qualify to be members of the Union, are nonetheless registered as its members.WatchmanPot calls on the new leadership to be firm in applying this constitutional provision.
The multi-layer structure started by the Comrade Patrick Albert-led EXCO has been virtually abandoned. The new EXCO is urged not to embark on any physical structural development without first completing that one. Similarly, there is need for a 24-hour security and landscaping of the NUJ Press Centre premises. WatchmanPost advises the new helmsmen to listen to their members as much as possible. We welcome them on board and hope that they sustain their coming into office in cheers so as to avoid leaving it in jeers. We wish them well.
