Ogun NUJ Elections: Allegations of Fraud, Constitutional Violations Rock Process
ABEOKUTA – A heated controversy has continued to trail elections of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council as allegations of grand conspiracy, fraud, and constitutional violations have been leveled against the National Secretary, Mr. Achike Achude, and the Credentials Committee led by a non-member of the union, Abiodun Taiwo.
In a press release signed on behalf of the concerned journalists by former NUJ Chairman in the state, Comrade Wole Shokunbi and Gbenga Oladipupo, the journalists accused the National Secretary of masterminding a plot to hijack the will of Ogun journalists and impose an illegitimate leadership on the council.
According to the release, the Credentials Committee is “stuffed with Associate members who lacked constitutional backing” to preside over the elections.
The journalists also alleged that the screening exercise was a “factory for fraud” and that the incumbent camp’s candidates were cleared despite breaking every rule in the NUJ Constitution.
Furthermore, the release claimed that the National Secretary had recklessly moved the election date from 22nd December 2025 to 11th December 2025 without Congress approval, consultation, or constitutional backing.
Recall that, the Credentials Committee and National Secretary disqualified the leading chairmanship contestant, Mr. Razaq Ayinla for paying his 2024 professional fee with 2025 due.
The journalists have demanded that the illegal disqualifications be reversed, the Credentials Committee be dissolved, and a fresh, transparent screening be conducted under neutral officers.
“We will not allow NUJ Ogun to be turned into a private estate,” the release warned, adding that the NUJ Constitution must rise above the ambitions of one man.
“The shameful drama unfolding in the build-up to the NUJ Ogun State Council elections has exposed a grand conspiracy masterminded by the National Secretary, to hijack the will of Ogun journalists, trample on the NUJ Constitution, and force an illegitimate leadership on our Council.
“Mr. Achike Achude, a supposed human rights activist, was employed as the national secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) by former NUJ president, Mr. Chris Isiguso in 2024.
“What we are witnessing is not an election process — it is a coordinated assault on democracy, and we will not keep quiet.
“The so-called Credentials Committee is a constitutional disaster.
It is stuffed with Associate members who have no business being there, and led by one Abiodun Taiwo, Publisher of Salient Times, a man publicly disclaimed by Daily Times, yet handpicked to preside over our elections.
“This is not incompetence. This is a deliberate setup, a Committee created to do a dirty job. A screening exercise designed to favor the anointed candidates under the watchful eyes of the National Secretary, the screening exercise became a factory for fraud.
“The incumbent camp, Mr. Akinwale Olanrewaju-led Executive Committee — his preferred candidates — were cleared even though they broke every rule in the NUJ Constitution, including, failure to meet 50% Chapel and State Congress attendance, being nominated by unqualified persons, being Associate members who should not “vote and be voted for.”
Other constitutional contraventions are members without good financial standing, imposition of constitutionally disqualified person who should not be a member at all.
“Yet, genuine, bonafide members — with valid and good financial standing and nominations from fully qualified chapel members — were shamelessly disqualified.
“Ogun journalists refuse to be conquered. The NUJ Constitution must rise above the ambitions of one man,” the release further read.
The controversy has sparked outrage among Ogun journalists, who are calling for an end to the alleged manipulation and fraud.
