The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has been taken to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division, over alleged violations of its 2023 constitution.
Mr. Abdulwaheed Olayinka Adubi, a journalist and member of the union, filed the lawsuit, claiming that the NUJ’s leadership, led by Chris Isiguzo, unlawfully extended the tenure of the Central Working Committee (CWC), which is set to expire on October 6, 2024.
Adubi, who intends to participate in the 8th Triennial National Delegates Conference scheduled for November 2024 in Owerri, Imo State, challenged the decision made during the NUJ National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on August 9, 2024. He contended that the NEC lacked the authority to prolong the CWC’s mandate.
The NUJ constitution clearly stipulates in Article 5(a)(3) that the conference should be held every three years to review reports, amend the constitution if necessary, and elect new officers. The CWC members, elected on October 7, 2021, were given a three-year tenure that ends on October 6, 2024.
Adubi claims that the tenure extension orchestrated by Isiguzo was an abuse of the union’s constitution. His lawyer, Ibrahim Bawa, SAN, argued that such an extension is unconstitutional and creates a crisis aimed at keeping the current leadership in power.
In court documents filed on September 10, 2024, Adubi accused the NUJ leadership of failing to establish a Credentials Committee three months before the end of the CWC’s term, as required by Article 5(9)(a) of the constitution. This committee is responsible for verifying the financial standing of registered delegates before the conference. According to Adubi, this deliberate omission violated the union’s rules.
Additionally, the lawsuit challenges the committee’s decision to impose a ₦350,000 fee for the presidential nomination form, arguing that it disenfranchises potential candidates. Adubi is asking the court to dissolve the CWC and hand over the union’s leadership to the chairmen and secretaries of the NUJ’s state councils, who would oversee the election process within three months.
If the court grants this request, Adubi believes it will create a fair environment for all union members seeking elective positions.
