By JOHNSON EBIGIDE
The much awaited election of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Delta State has finally been conducted with Comrade Mike Ikeogwu of the Redemption Team narrowly beaten his rival from the PRIZE Team, Comrade Churchill Oyowe. At the end of the election which has been adjudged to be free and fair, Comrade Ikeogwu polled 206 votes against Comrade Oyowe’s 202 votes to clinch the chairmanship position.
Others who came out victorious in the keenly contested election were Comrade Ogono Salvation of the Redemption Team as the Vice-Chairman, Comrade Patrick Ochei of the PRIZE Team as Secretary, Comrades Felix Eku and Celestine Aforkoba, both of the Redemption Team, as Assistant Secretary and Auditor respectively. Comrade Joy Mordi of the Redemption Team was returned unopposed.
With the outcome of the election which had been scuttled earlier by perceived undercurrent influences of some power gladiators in the union, the council of the union in the state under the watch of Comrade Ikeogwu is once again on the path to glory. Not only has the results of the election thrown up the resolves of conscientious members of the union to shove aside the influences of godfathers in the determination of affairs of the union in the state and beyond, but like the recently concluded Edo 2020 gubernatorial election, it has indirectly sent some godfathers in the union, who had formed themselves into a debilitating cabal, into an Abrupt retirement from active participation in the union in the state and beyond.
Again, like the said Edo election, the popular will of members triumphed over the mesmerising influences of hooded godfathers who wanted their candidates to emerge winners at all costs, just as the umpires stood their ground, even when the perceived godfathers were breathing suffocatingly down their necks, and ensuring that the will of the generality of members of the union in the state was respected.
Yes, the election has come and gone. Winners have emerged. The issue now is how to move the council on against the erstwhile retardation and wobbling of the union in the state to greater heights. The victory is not for Ikeogwu alone, nor that of the team that produced him as the Chairman, it is for the generality of members of the union in the state and beyond. It is not only to ensure the welfare of members of the union, it is to uplift humanity while also lending helping hands towards the actualisation of the Stronger Delta vision of the state government.
Comrade Ikeogwu and his exco could strive to succeed in the mandate given them, but with the support of members of the union in the state and beyond, much more and greater achievements would be recorded for the benefit of all. Now is the time to close ranks and eschew the debilitating tendencies of pull-him-down syndrome, mudslinging, character assassination, unnecessary showmanship, self centeredness, and most importantly, dragging the image of the union in the mud. With collectivity and unity of purpose among members and stakeholders, the union would join other highly respected professional unions in the state and beyond.
As a way of appreciation, it would be unfair not to recognise the pivotal role the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, has been determinedly playing to ensure that the union remains on the path of peace in the state. It would be recalled that not only did he halt the drift to disintegration of a chapel, but he came strong to cement all the cracks militating against the peaceful conduct of the union election in the state.
While congratulating members of the union in the state and beyond for a peaceful conduct of the 2020 Delta NUJ election, the arrowhead of the peace that has finally returned to the union in the state is surely Mr. Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, Commissioner for Information, Delta State.