The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ has withdrawn from the Benue State Council of the union and passed a vote of no confidence on the State Chairman, Bemdoo Ugber, over allegations of financial mismanagement, abuse of office, and conduct unbecoming of a union leader.
The resolution was reached during an emergency congress held in Makurdi where members deliberated on what they termed as the deteriorating state of affairs within the council.
In a communiqué signed by the Chapel Chairman, John Shiaondo, and Secretary, Martins Kajo, the chapel accused Ugber of failing to account for several funds allegedly accrued to the council.
The communiqué alleged among several others that the chairman failed to explain the utilisation of ₦2 million reportedly generated from schools owned by the council, as well as ₦3 million allegedly received from the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Wannune for the purchase of chairs.
Members also condemned what they described as the commercialisation of the NUJ bus, alleging that journalists were compelled to pay ₦50,000 or more to access the vehicle for official assignments.
Members equally accused the chairman of refusing to subject the council’s finances to audit since assuming office more than one year ago.
Consequently, the chapel directed all its members serving in the State Working Committee, State Executive Council, and other committees of the council to immediately withdraw from all council activities pending further notice.
Despite its withdrawal, the chapel passed a vote of confidence in Governor Hycincth Alia, his Chief Press Secretary, CPS, Tersoo Kula, and other government media aides, commending what it describes as their cordial relationship with journalists and efforts to sanitise the media environment in the state.
Earlier, the NUJ Benue State Council led by its chairman Bemdoo Ugber had passed a vote of no confidence on the CPS Kula accusing him of alleged anti-union activities, divisive conduct and persistent disregard for journalists in the state.
Subsequently, the Government House Press Crew in a communique signed by its chairman Pius Iroja Angbo publicly disassociated themselves from what they termed as the ongoing blackmail and extortionist campaign against the CPS orchestrated by the State Council of NUJ led by its Chairman, Bemdoo Ugber who they said in a typically “Pull Him Down” syndrome bid, hurriedly convened a Congress meeting to pass a vote of no confidence on the CPS.
They future argued that CPS Kula, since assuming office in May 2023, has comported himself as a trained professional and media manager, leading journalists in Benue State with dignity and respect in the pursuit of publicity for the Governor, Hyacinth Alia, at great personal cost and inconvenience, leveraging his long standing relationships with journalists in the state.
The Press Crew said this attempt by Bemdoo Ugber to use the NUJ platform to publicly ridicule the CPS and score cheap points with his collaborators will fail as it further reinforces the NUJ Chairman’s personal interest to undermine the administration of Governor Alia who has done creditably well to transform the state.
It said the move clearly exposes the plot by a section of the media under the audacious control of the NUJ chairman in Benue state, Bemdoo Ugber who is on a campaign in arms with a few colleagues, working against the Alia administration and his appointees ahead of the crucial political season that is upon Benue state.
“In a sane clime, the media would by now, under the guidance of the NUJ focus on beaming search light to promote good governance and development journalism to showcase the ongoing massive construction works and reforms by the Alia administration.
“The NUJ chairman is the greatest beneficiary of the peace restored in the union affairs by the Alia administration, doing everything possible to unite all members of the NUJ and conducted one of the most peaceful elections that led to the emergence of Comrade Bemdoo Ugber as Chairman
“We totally disagree with the vote of no confidence passed on the CPS by the Bemdoo Ugber led NUJ,” the Statement read in part.
“The Government House Press Crew collectively and unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Governor Alia for providing people centred leadership in Benue State, just as we publicly pass a vote of confidence on the Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula for his relentless efforts at keeping the media in Benue state working to perform her constitutional responsibility of holding government accountable and also promoting good governance and development policies of the Alia administration.”
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
