Outrage over sudden suspension of FCT NAWOJ election

Members of the National Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, have expressed anger over the sudden suspension of its election schedule for Saturday.

Trouble started when members of the election committee with the support of the NAWOJ President, Aisha Bura, suddenly insisted that only those with the National Union of Journalists, (NUJ), identity card would be allowed to vote against proof of payment of dues and office identity cards will be used to cast votes as earlier agreed.

The electorates accused the electoral committee of trying to manipulate votes in favour of their candidate saying that various media organisations ID cards were previously used during elections, hence the recent decision by the National body of NAWOJ was uncalled for.

Others said the new system will disenfranchise members, as most media practitioners had no national ID card, but use their organisation’s means of identity to practice the profession.

Josephine Bitrus, Correspondent chapel and one of the delegate agents said: “The presidential committee chairman told us of the new development that the new directive came from the National Secretariat of NAWOJ to use NUJ ID card.

“We disagree because it was not used during the NAWOJ National delegate conference.

Similarly, Stella Okoh-Esene, former Chairperson, FCT Chapter, said: “We all agreed at the just concluded Congress this morning that dissolved excos, but the Vice President of our zone, Mrs Chizoba Ogbeche said we should use NUJ ID card.

Meanwhile, Mrs Dorcas John, Chairman Credential Committee FCT, while addressing members said the directive was from the National President, NAWOJ, Hajiya Aisha Bura.

She said “The National President said we should put this election on hold since we are not using the NUJ ID card.”