BREAKING: Warri NUJ passes vote of no confidence on Churchill Oyowe, Delta NUJ Chairman over coming election

By Akpokona Omafuaire, UGHELLI

THE Warri Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has passed a vote of no confidence on Churchill Oyowe, Chairman, Delta State Council of NUJ over breach of the Union's Constitution during an emergency Congress to deliberate on recent developments concerning the conduct of the forthcoming election of the Chapel slated for Monday, March 16, 2026.

The No Confidence Vote was contained in a Communique signed by Comrade Joe Ogbodu, Chairman, Communique Drafting Committee, Comrade Onyeka Meleuwa

Secretary, Comrade Sunny Ariegwe, Comrade Victor Okpomor, Chairman, Warri Correspondents' Chapel and Comrade Edeki Igafe Secretary. 

The Communique read in part, "Based on the obvious violation of the NUJ Constitution 2023 (as Amended) by the Chairman of the Delta State Council, the Chapel consequently, passed a vote of no confidence on the State Council Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyowe.

"Warri Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) was formed over three decades ago to accommodate journalists who are practicing within Warri and it's environ. Members of the union have coexisted for these period and have no cause for concern. 

"The Chapel has 32 qualified practicing membership. The Chapel had her last admission of members over 13 years ago and had successful pilot it's affairs without rancor.

"After exhaustive deliberations, members of the Chapel expressed grave concern over what they described as unconstitutional actions and conduct exhibited by the State Council Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, which were inconsistent with the provisions of the NUJ Constitution 2023 (Amended) he swore to uphold.

"The Chapel also observed that the State Chairman unilaterally took the decision to unjustly disenfranchised some members by delisting them from the voters list of the Chapel’s election scheduled to hold on March 16, 2026 thereby contravening Article 3 :3(g).

"The Chapel also observed that the Chairman is running the administration of the Secretariat as his personal estate as critical decisions affecting members of the council, including chapels, are taken without recourse to other members of the SWC thereby contravening Article 5: D(e) of the NUJ Constitution 2023 (Amended).

"A case in hand is the decision to delist and excommunicate some eligible members and his response to the report of the 2026 Credentials Committee dated 8th March, 2026 titled; "Re:Approved Date For Warri Correspondents' Chapel Election and Resolution of Petitions." This letter was signed by the Chairman against the advice of the Acting State Secretary.

"The Chapel was taken aback when the State Chairman, took an ignoble step to delist qualified members who are online Correspondents working for different online media organizations, thereby running foul of Section 3:2(a) NUJ Constitution 2023 (Amended).

"The Chapel also observed that the Delta State Council Chairman also disregarded the provision of the Constitution by denying members who are plying their trade outside the location of their establishment, thereby violating Article 5: (F3) of the NUJ Constitution (As Amended). 

"Members maintained that an election is not a screening exercise, and therefore no individual, including the State Council Chairman, has the constitutional authority to screen members of the Union ahead of the March 16, 2026, of the Warri Correspondents' Chapel’s election. Thereby changing the goal-post in the middle of the game.

"Congress reaffirms its recognition of the role of the State Council leadership as limited to supervising the electoral process, not determining the eligibility of members to vote or participate in line with Article 6: 6

"The motion was moved by Comrade Joe Ogbodu, Correspondent of The Sun Newspaper, and seconded by Cmrade Emma Arubi. The vote of no confidence was unanimously adopted by the 21 members at the congress.

"That the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel passes a vote of no confidence on the NUJ Delta State Council Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, over actions considered unconstitutional and prejudicial to the democratic process of the Union.

"That Comrade Churchill Oyowe is hereby called upon to immediately step aside, resign, or face impeachment in line with the provisions of the NUJ Constitution for failing to uphold the constitution of the NUJ that he swore to defend.

"That the National Secretariat of the NUJ should urgently intervene by asking Comrade Oyowe not to supervise the election by himself as he did in Ughelli Correspondents' Chapel election. The Chapel will be willing to cooperate with any other individuals or group of individuals sent from the State Working Committee to supervise the election.

"The Chapel appeals to the National Secretariat to prevail on the Delta State Working Committee to immediately reinstate all members delisted and excommunicated from the Chapel to enable them vote or be voted in the forthcoming election.

"That those who were unlawfully disqualified from running for the election be cleared to contest for their various positions.

"That the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel remains irrevocably committed to defending the rule of law, press freedom, members' rights and democratic principles within the Nigerian Union of Journalists.

"The Chapel commends the National Secretariat for always upholding and defending the Constitution of the NUJ." It added. 

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