No court has stopped NUJ FCT elections-NUJ transparency group

…Says news false, fake, baseless

By Queen Kunde

A group for credible elections in the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), called the NUJ FCT Transparency Group says no court of competent jurisdiction has stopped the NUJ FCT Council forthcoming elections.

The group described as false and fake news reports alleging that a court has stopped the NUJ or the Credentials Committee from going ahead with the conduct of the elections scheduled for December 4, 2024.

Reacting, the National Coordinator of NUJ FCT Transparency Group, Prince Ugoeze Afonne, in a statement condemned in its entirety attempts to undermine the constitution of the NUJ, queries, ‘How can a lawyer impersonate a judge’?.

Urging the NUJ National Secretariat and the Henry Umoru -led Credentials Committee to disregard such fake, baseless and false reports and remain focused on protecting the council’s reputation and the assignment of delivering free, fair and credible elections.

The statement reads, “The purported suspension of the NUJ FCT Council election processes is a calculated attempt by the embattled former NUJ FCT Chairman and the FCT Council Chairman, Patrick Osadebamwen, to subvert the democratic process. It is evident that their preferred tool in this plot is Emeka Nze, who has been pushed forward as a front to manipulate due process and stall the election through unsubstantiated claims.

“1. No Court Injunction Exists: Contrary to the narrative being circulated, no formal court order has been issued to halt the election process. The principle of lis pendens cited by the claimant’s counsel is not an injunction but merely a procedural notice of pending litigation. The court has not made any ruling to suspend or halt the election, and thus the process remains legitimate and within the bounds of the law.

“2. A Lawyer Cannot Be a Judge in His Own Case: The counsel representing Emeka Nze cannot impose an interpretation of the lis pendens rule to serve the interests of his client. This is a clear case of overreach, as it is solely within the court’s jurisdiction to determine whether election activities should be suspended. The absence of a court injunction nullifies any assertion that the election process must cease.

“3. Abuse of NUJ Constitution for Personal Agendas: The allegations made by Emeka Nze concerning the credentials of Mr. Henry Umoru and Ms. Sarah Odugbo are not only unfounded but serve as a distraction. The NUJ Constitution provides clear mechanisms for addressing disputes. Raising these issues at the eleventh hour—reveals a deliberate strategy to derail the process.

“4. A Ploy to Undermine Democratic Values:
It is not coincidental that these actions are being spearheaded by individuals with a history of manipulating union processes for personal gain. Emma, Patrick and his allies, including Emeka Nze, have shown a disregard for the collective will of the NUJ membership by resorting to tactics aimed at obstructing free and fair elections.

5. The Election Must Proceed:
   In the absence of a court injunction, there is no legal impediment to continuing with the election. The NUJ FCT Council owes its members a duty to uphold the principles of transparency, democracy, and fairness by proceeding with the election as planned. This would ensure that the union remains committed to serving the interests of its members rather than succumbing to external pressures driven by selfish motives.

“In conclusion, the purported halt to the election process is a baseless and calculated effort to undermine the democratic fabric of the NUJ. The union leadership and its members must resist these antics and ensure that due process prevails. It is also pertinent to remind Emeka Nze that the couple pushing him to court will deny him when the time comes .”