Anambra NUJ Crisis Deepens as Correspondent Chapel Pull-out from State Council

By Praise Chinecherem

Crisis rocking the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council has deepened as members of Correspondents’ Chapel of the union have resolved to disassociate themselves from the state council.

They cited need to protect members from what they described as “draconian, inhumane and threat-infested environment” within the council as the reason for their decision.

They also cited high-handedness and threats to life by the council’s chairman, Odogwu Emeka Odogwu.

According to a communique issued after their June Congress, the chapel unanimously endorsed the leadership of Chief Chuks Ilozue and his Executive Committee, just as they pledged loyalty to the national body of the Union.

The Communique signed by David Eleke (Chairman), Nwanosike Onu, Tony Okafor, Obinna Unaeze, Emma Elekwa (Secretary) and unanimously endorsed by all the members reads in part,”

1. ENDORSEMENT OF LEADERSHIP: The Anambra State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists hereby unanimously endorses the leadership of Chief Chuks Ilozue and other members of his Executive Committee (EXCO).
2. DISSOCIATION FROM ANAMBRA STATE COUNCIL: Given the high-handedness, threats to life and other unwholesome attitudes exhibited by Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, the Chairman of Anambra Council of our Union, the leadership and members of the Anambra State Correspondents’ Chapel have collectively decided to disassociate themselves from the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State Council, effective immediately.
3. REDIRECTION OF OBEDIENCE AND LOYALTY: As of now, our obedience and loyalty shall be directed to the national body of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, pending the time when the Anambra State Council under Odogwu is purged of its maladies and restored to a state of order and decorum.
4. PAYMENT OF UNION DUES: We pledge to pay all fees due to the Union directly to the national body within a reasonable period, as may be practicable.
5. RATIONALE FOR DISSOCIATION: This decision has been necessitated by the need to protect ourselves from the draconian, inhumane and threat-infested environment and acts that prevail within the Anambra State Council of our Union, which have made it impossible for us to function effectively and safely.
6. CLARIFICATION ON THE BUS DONATED BY THE ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNMENT: Regarding the bus donated to our chapel by the state government, which Odogwu seeks and schemes to assign to Tochukwu Ifejika, his sister- In-law and Chairperson, National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Anambra state Chapter for the purpose of running her Union (NAWOJ), we wish to state that the bus is intact and available. We hereby declare that our members have vehemently decided not to surrender the bus and/or any other property to Odogwu or anybody for any reason, as it shall continue to be used for the purpose for which it was donated (which is to enable us collectively attend government functions and other activities).
7. CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS: We are compelled to note that Odogwu’s actions have pushed us to the wall, leaving us no option but to invoke our constitutional rights (If need be), as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (section 40 as amended), which guarantees the right to freedom of association and the option to belong or not to belong to any association.
8. PEACE MOVES AND ODOGWU’S DSS: Note that previously, Correspondents Chapel had made honest moves to resolve this impasse, including consulting stakeholders, but these moves were truncated and rebuffed by Odogwu who unwarrantingly dragged the chapel to Department of State Service (DSS).
9. FINALLY: We reiterate that associations, unions, and sundry organizations are akin to matrimony, and nobody can be coerced into them. This is our candid position and we stand by it.”