As the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council prepares to inaugurate a credentials committee on Saturday, the Make A Difference (MAD) Initiative has called for a level playing field to ensure a peaceful transition.
NaijaOnPoint.com.ng (NOP) reports NUJ FCT Council had scheduled its triennial conference for December 2024 when new executives of the council would be elected.
The credentials committee to be inaugurated is expected to oversee the leadership election, with the advocacy group, known for promoting justice and equity, urging journalists in the FCT to set an example for the political class by conducting elections free from manipulation, rancour or crisis.
According to MAD Initiative, this objective can only be achieved through leadership committed to the collective good of the union, protecting members’ interests, and resisting undue influence from self-serving individuals or groups.
In a statement signed by the Executive Director of MAD Initiative, Dr. Lemmy Ughegbe, the group placed the responsibility of ensuring a fair electoral process on the incumbent Chairman, Comrade Patrick Osaretin Osadebamwen, and his executive team.
The statement urged the NUJ FCT Council executives to create a conducive environment that allows all aspirants and voting members to participate freely and without intimidation.
“It is our hope that Comrade Osadebamwen will seize this opportunity to leave a lasting legacy by managing the process with transparency, integrity, and unwavering commitment to the union’s values,” the statement reads.
MAD Initiative also called on the NUJ National President, Comrade Christopher Ikechukwu Isiguzo to closely monitor the process and offer timely guidance to the NUJ FCT Council leadership where and when necessary.
The group concluded by expressing its hope for a smooth, peaceful transition that reflects the true will of the union’s members.
The NUJ FCT Council election “is seen as an important opportunity for journalists in the nation’s capital to demonstrate that credible elections are possible, even in challenging environments” Ughegbe declared.