The State Working Committee (SWC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Delta State Council, has passed a vote of no confidence on the state chairman, Churchill Oyowe, accusing him of repeatedly disregarding the authority and collective decisions of the committee.
The decision was taken during an SWC meeting held on March 14, 2026, where members deliberated on developments surrounding the forthcoming election of the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel scheduled for March 16.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the committee alleged that the chairman had consistently acted in ways that undermined the collective resolutions of the SWC.
The members described his conduct as “high-handed and an abuse of office,” adding that his actions had continued to sideline the authority of the committee.
The SWC also distanced itself from a correspondence allegedly issued regarding the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel election and signed solely by Oyowe.
According to the committee, the letter did not reflect the collective decision or official position of the SWC.
The committee further disclosed that the meeting was convened in strict compliance with a directive from the NUJ National Secretariat dated March 12, 2026, which instructed the SWC to review the eligibility and qualifications of aspirants contesting for the chairmanship of the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel.
Following deliberations, the committee said all three aspirants contesting the position were cleared to participate in the election.
It noted that no petitions were entertained against the contestants, explaining that issues relating to membership of the chapel had already been conclusively addressed by the national secretariat.
The SWC also affirmed that all 32 members of the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel are eligible to vote in the election.
While reaffirming its alignment with the directive of the national secretariat on the conduct of the election, the committee urged members of the chapel to maintain professionalism throughout the process.
The SWC called on journalists in the chapel to conduct themselves “in a peaceful, orderly, and professional manner” during the election.
The resolution was endorsed by several SWC members, including Vice Chairman Felix Ekwu, Acting Secretary Josephine Omodior, Treasurer Caroline Ubini, Auditor Celestine Afokobah, and Ex-Officio member Christian Eze.
Copies of the resolution were also forwarded to the NUJ National Secretariat and the union’s Zone F leadership for further action.
