By Lucky Uto
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, over alleged interference in the chapel’s forthcoming election.
The resolution was reached during an emergency congress held on March 11, 2026, where members accused the state chairman of actions they described as unconstitutional and harmful to the democratic process within the union.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the chapel alleged that Oyowe unilaterally removed some members from the voters’ register ahead of the chapel election scheduled for March 16, 2026. Members said the action disenfranchised eligible journalists, particularly those working with online media organisations.
The congress also criticised what it described as the chairman’s unilateral decision-making, accusing him of running the state secretariat without proper consultation with other members of the State Working Committee, contrary to provisions of the NUJ Constitution 2023 (Amended).
Members further rejected the disqualification of journalists working outside the physical location of their media organisations, insisting that elections within the union are not screening exercises and that no individual has the authority to screen members ahead of the chapel poll.
Following the deliberations, the chapel unanimously adopted a motion of no confidence against Oyowe.
The motion was moved by Comrade Joe Ogbodu of The Sun Newspaper and seconded by Comrade Emma Arubi, with 21 members present at the congress.
The chapel called on the NUJ Delta State chairman to step aside, resign, or face impeachment in line with the union’s constitution.
Members also appealed to the NUJ National Secretariat to urgently intervene to ensure a credible election and prevent Oyowe from supervising the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel poll.
The congress demanded the immediate reinstatement of all members allegedly removed from the voters’ register and the clearance of those disqualified from contesting in the election.
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.
The chapel reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rule of law, press freedom, and democratic principles within the NUJ.
