Kogi NUJ demystifies ethnic politics, elects officials by consensus
IDRIS AHMED, Lokoja.
Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Kogi State Council has set a pace for a peaceful election, contrary to usual sectional and ethnic considerations as witnessed in the just concluded Governorship election in the state.
Usually elections in Kogi State no matter the level down to trade unions, Students, and market associations were subjected to ethnic, religious and sectional considerations while choosing leaders.
The Credential Committee led by Yusuf Itopa of the Ministry of Information Chapel reported to the triennial conference that the new officials were all elected unopposed.
According to Itopa, the former Secretary of the Union, Comrade Seidu Haruna Ademu, was continuously elected as the Chairman, while Ibrahim Obansa, and Segun Oyenibe as Secretaries, and Sunday Adegbija were Treasurer respectively.
Others are Josephine Ali Onekwu and Abdulsalam Muhammed Abubakar as Financial Secretary.
Based on the NUJ successful consensus rotational arrangement, the outgoing Chairman, of the Kogi State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Adeiza Momohjimoh, called on stakeholders of Kogi politics to adopt the rotation of the state’s governorship seat among the ethnic nationalities.
Momohjimoh made the call on Wednesday while giving his farewell address at the triennial conference held at the refurbished NUJ Secretariat.
He lamented that ethnic rivalry usually characterizes governorship elections in the state, insisting that regardless of the diversity in language, all ethnic nationalities in the state have the same roots and age-long affiliations.
“The much talked about Kogi State Governorship election of November 11 has come and gone. Gone, but it leaves some dust flying in its trail. There is a reason for this. We as a people have not been able to divest ourselves of primordial loyalty to our different ethnic identities. Instead of politics of unity, politics of peace, progress and prosperity.
“We play politics of disunity as we hurl unprintable and unbearable abuses forgetting the fact that as one people bounded by common political destiny, which had its roots first from Kwararafa kingdom and later in Kabba province, the insult of one is the insult for all.
“Therefore, I would like to call on our political players to come together and work out a power-sharing modality in the state. For me, rotating governorship as agreed upon by our founding fathers is the way to go. Commonwealth should be Commonwealth, please.
“It is not a strange formula and it is not peculiar to us. Rotational government has been thriving in Niger State among a few other states of the federation. And it is working for them. Why do we not take the cue from states where rotational governorship has worked? It brings peace. It buries mutual hatred. It nurtures bonding and healthy competitiveness resulting in common splendour for all of us.
” Kogi politicians please, call the stakeholders to a round table discussion on rotational governorship. It is what is fair, just and equitable,” he appealed”, Comrade Momohjimoh advised.
The immediate past Chairman expressed gratitude to members of the NUJ for their support throughout his stewardship, urging them to extend the same to the incoming leadership.
“Today, as I exit the leadership of this great Council as its Chairman, I can, without sounding immodest, beat my chest, saying that I came, I saw and I conquered. It is indeed a triumphant exit.
On the conduct of the election, Momohjimoh said the exercise was peaceful, adding that it simply shows the harmony and understanding that exist among members.
According to the outgoing Chairman, this feat has raised the Kogi NUJ us above other industrial unions in the state, as it also serves as a big lesson to the politicians.
He said it is very possible for a consensus election where there is peaceful coexistence, harmony and understanding among the citizens and residents of the state.
On the union, the outgoing Chairman said his team would have loved to achieve a lot more for the Union and its members than what is witnessed, but an acute shortage of finance has always remained the obstacle.
The outgoing Chairman expressed gratitude to God and members for the achievements recorded during his tenure.
He disclosed that the NUJ Press Centre has been equipped with computers and other gadgets as one of the projects that can greatly improve the skills for media practice.
