The State Executive Committee, SEC of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ  FCT Council   comprising chairmen and secretaries of chapels in the Council  held an emergency meeting today Sunday October 20, 2024 and declared that there is no going back on the impeachment of the  Chairman, Comrade Osaretin Osadebamen and members of the State Working Committee, (Exco).


In a statement signed by 15 chapel chairmen and secretaries, the SEC declared that in accordance with the powers vested in it by the Union's constitution, the following decisions were taken at the meeting:


1:   The SEC in line with its mandate as provided in the constitution of the Union hereby ratified and endorsed the resolution of the Congress taken on Saturday October 19, 2024.


2: The SEC hereby announces the take over of the NUJ FCT Council as from today Sunday October 20, 2024 and the general public and Nigerian government should not have any official engagement with Mr. Patrick Osadebamwen’s led executive as from this moment onwards.


3: The SEC will communicate the new date for the Congress for the purpose of constituting a Credential Committee that would organize elections for the council in due course.


4: The impeached executives members are hereby warned in their own interest to desist forthwith from parading themselves as the officials of the council. Also members are advised to ignore and disregard any press statement purportedly emanating from the impeached chairman, Mr. Patrick Osadebamwen and secretary, Mr. Ochiaka Ugwu and their allies.


5 : The SEC appeals to the members of the union to remain calm and be law abiding as we explore all constitutional provisions to ensure that normalcy return to the FCT Council. Also the SEC has formally notified the National Secretariat of the Union of the situation in the Council accordingly.


"The above decisions were taken in the overall interest of the Council to  save it from further public opprobrium,  embarrassment, and ridicule. We must maintain the sanctity of the NUJ FCT Council because of its integral role in the Union as a whole.


"The action of the SEC was guided by the provisions of Article 5 Part C 10a-b and Part E (1h) which states that :  10. (a). The Central Working Committee (CWC) shall, upon a vote of no confidence by two- thirds (2/3) majority of votes of members of the National Executive Council (NEC) be dissolved. This shall, however, be based on proven allegations of anti-union activity, maladministration, financial impropriety, misconduct and commission of crimes capable of dragging the name of the union into disrepute.


"b). Where the CWC is dissolved, the National Secretary shall immediately notify the State Council Chairmen and Secretaries who shall take over and run the affairs of the Union and conduct elections within three months.”


"Part E (1h )  The SEC shall perform similar functions as NEC at the State Council level. SWC shall perform similar functions as the CWC at the State Council level", the statement read 


Attached herewith are the names of the SEC members present at the meeting.


SIGNED

1: Yahaya Ndambabo -  Chairman VON Chapel

2: Collins Yakubu-Hammer - Chairman NAN Chapel

3: Shakirat Alabi  - Chairperson, FRCN,(Abuja Operations)

4: Niyi Lawal – Secretary, FCTA Chapel

5 :Abubakar Akwanga - Chairman, NTA Chapel

6 : Usman Katun Umar – Secretary, ASO RADIO/TV  

7 : Mr. Austin Ekanem -  Chairman, Flame Chapel

8. Funmilayo Adeyemi - Secretary, NAN Chapel

9. Elder Gbenga Salami - Pilot Chapel

10: Ikechukwu - Chairman, Federal Ministry of Information

11 :  Sunny Iyogun - Secretary Federal Ministry of Information

12 : Love – Secretary,  Flame Chapel

13 : Onuh Holina – Chairman,  Aso Radio/TV

14:  Ngozi Uloma Ufomba - Chairman FCTA Chapel

15:  Jide Oyekunle – Chairman,  Correspondents Chapel



The SEC further noted that the impeachment of the State Working Committee (SWC ) of the council by the Congress was on grounds of gross violation of the provision of Article 5 (9d).


It added that the undemocratic and unconstitutional actions of Osadebamen-led executives at the  Oct 19, 2024 Congress and the above misdemeanours and infractions on the part of the SWC  compelled over two third 2/3 majority members in attendance at the Congress to resolve and pass a ‘Vote of No Confidence’ and subsequently impeach the entire SWC.