Members of the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have passed a vote of no confidence on the Chairman of the NUJ Delta State Council, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, accusing him of actions they described as unconstitutional and detrimental to the democratic process within the union.
The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency congress held on March 11, 2026, to deliberate on developments surrounding the forthcoming chapel election scheduled for March 16, 2026.
The meeting, attended by members of the chapel, expressed concern over what they described as the state chairman’s interference in the electoral process and alleged violation of the NUJ Constitution 2023 (Amended).
According to the communiqué, members accused Oyowe of unilaterally delisting some members from the voters’ register ahead of the election.
“The Chapel expressed grave concern over what it described as unconstitutional actions and conduct exhibited by the State Council Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, which are inconsistent with the provisions of the NUJ Constitution 2023 (Amended) he swore to uphold,” the communiqué stated.
The chapel further alleged that the state chairman’s action disenfranchised eligible members, particularly journalists working with online media organisations.
“The Chapel observed that the State Chairman unilaterally took the decision to unjustly disenfranchise some members by delisting them from the voters’ list of the chapel’s election scheduled for March 16, 2026, thereby contravening Article 3:3(g) of the NUJ Constitution,” the communiqué said.
Members also criticised what they described as the unilateral manner in which decisions affecting the union were taken.
“The Chairman is running the administration of the Secretariat as his personal estate as critical decisions affecting members of the council, including chapels, are taken without recourse to other members of the State Working Committee,” the communiqué noted, citing Article 5:D(e) of the NUJ Constitution.
The congress also raised concerns over the disqualification of journalists working outside the location of their media organisations, insisting such action violates the provisions of the union’s constitution.
Members maintained that elections within the NUJ are not screening exercises, stressing that no individual, including the state chairman, has the constitutional authority to screen members ahead of the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel election.
“Congress reaffirms its recognition of the role of the State Council leadership as limited to supervising the electoral process, not determining the eligibility of members to vote or participate,” the communiqué added.
Consequently, the chapel passed a vote of no confidence on Comrade Churchill Oyowe, calling on him to step aside or resign.
The motion for the vote of no confidence was moved by Comrade Joe Ogbodu, Correspondent of The Sun Newspaper, and seconded by Comrade Emma Arubi, with the resolution unanimously adopted by the 21 members present at the congress.
The chapel also appealed to the NUJ National Secretariat to urgently intervene to ensure a credible election.
“That Comrade Churchill Oyowe is hereby called upon to immediately step aside, resign, or face impeachment in line with the provisions of the NUJ Constitution for failing to uphold the constitution of the NUJ that he swore to defend,” the communiqué stated.
It further urged the national body to prevent the Delta State Council chairman from supervising the election, noting that members would cooperate with any other representatives appointed by the State Working Committee.
The chapel also demanded the immediate reinstatement of all members allegedly delisted or excommunicated ahead of the election and called for those disqualified from contesting to be cleared.
“The Warri Correspondents’ Chapel remains irrevocably committed to defending the rule of law, press freedom, members’ rights and democratic principles within the Nigerian Union of Journalists,” the communiqué affirmed.
The congress also commended the NUJ National Secretariat for its continued efforts in upholding and defending the union’s constitution.
The communiqué was signed by Comrade Joe Ogbodu, Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee; Comrade Onyeka Meleuwa, Secretary; Comrade Sunny Ariegwe, Member; as well as Comrade Victor Okpomor, Chairman of the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, and Comrade Edeki Igafe, Secretary.
