By: Charity Nnochiri

Mr. Paul Ella Abechi, an Assistant Editor with African Leadership Magazine has emerged the new chairman of  Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council. He beat the incumbent, Mr. Chuks Ehirim and former Secretary of the Council, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche to emerge winner with 197 votes.

Ogbeche  got 167 votes and Ehirim 132 votes. Other winners in the keenly contested election include Mr Primus Khanoba who returned as Vice-chairman; Blessing Adewole, Treasurer and Mrs Rafat Salami who returned unopposed as Secretary.

It will be recalled that TheLedgerng reported thus:

The  fervor for the emergence of Paul Ella Abechi as the next Chairman of the  Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ FCT Council is still growing by leaps and bounds. From a token candidate,   Ella Abechi has metamorphosised as  the candidate to beat in the Oct 3, scheduled election.

Ella Abechi who is still on a one-to-one and visit to chapels campaigns,  like a beautiful flower,  seems
irresistible to both senior and junior journalists in the FCT.

One of his newest converts, Mr. Simon Reef, a senior professional and Publisher of the Foreward magazine maintains that Ella Abechi is the face of the change NUJ FCT Council is yearning  for.
mpaigns,  like a beautiful flower,  seems
irresistible to both senior and junior journalists in the FCT.

One of his newest converts, Mr. Simon Reef, a senior professional and Publisher of the Foreward magazine maintains that Ella Abechi is the face of the change NUJ FCT Council is yearning  for.

Reef told TheLedger how and why he is routing for Ella Abechi: ''My interest in Ella Abechi was fired by the  sms being circulated by his  opponents. While I accept that politics is war by other means, the other  Chairmanship candidates seems to hav donned an attitude of  superiority and snobbery. I know some of them, but, I am not familiar with Paul Ella Abechi, however,  low and behold when I met him eventually, he turned out to be a likable youngman, passionate, focused

"He kindled my interest in NUJ politics again, and having followed his campaigns so far, I can say un-equivocally that Ella Abechi intersects the idealism and pragmatism  of Unionism.
He has exhibited those qualities that would make the difference: zeal, commitment, optimism and common sense. I dont see these qualities in the other candidates despite their arrogant claims. Lets give it to Paul, he has the gumption"

After hearing Ella Abechi make his speech, the General Manager of ITV, Abuja, Mr. Leo Onwordi  equally expressed his admiration and  affirmed  that he has bought into the project, as could  grasp and evaluate both the candidate and his mission.

From interactions with senior and junior colleagues at the Federall Radio Corporation, FRCN, Aso Radio and Television
and several bureau office of media establishments, the unianimous verdict favours  Ella Abechi   emerging victorious with an overwhelming margin.

Ella Abechi, an Assistant Editor with African Leadership Magazine is the only candidate so far with a leaflet detailing his  mission and programmes if elected  Chairman.

His manifesto is anchored on welfare; compliance to professional ethics and anti-quackery; professional and capacity-building; and a transparent, accountable an inclusive administration.

Holding aloft the leaflet detailing the programmes, he told colleagues at Aso Radio-TV that he deliberately  printed the
leaflet so that members can have evidence to hold him to his words.

Giving her piece of mind, Miss Vivian Okejeme, an Associate Editor with an online publication  says:
''I  find Paul Ella refreshingly different,  I dare say  the empathetic spirit in him would be  the driving energy propelling  him to turn NUJ FCT Councill around. He has my vote"