By Lucky Uto
The State Working Committee (SWC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, has cleared three aspirants to contest in the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel election scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2026.
The decision was taken during the SWC meeting held on March 14, 2026, following a directive from the National Secretariat dated March 12, 2026.
According to the committee, all the three aspirants seeking to become Chairman of the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel met the necessary requirements and were therefore approved to participate in the election.
The SWC also stated that no petitions against any of the aspirants were considered during the meeting, explaining that issues relating to membership of the chapel had already been resolved by the National Secretariat.
Based on this, the committee affirmed that all 32 registered members of the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel are eligible to vote in the election.
However, the SWC distanced itself from a separate correspondence reportedly issued and signed by the State Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, saying the communication did not reflect the collective decision of the committee.
The committee also passed a vote of no confidence in the State Chairman, accusing him of repeatedly ignoring the authority and resolutions of the SWC and engaging in actions they described as high-handed and an abuse of office.
The SWC members reaffirmed their support for the directive of the National Secretariat that the election should proceed as scheduled on March 16, 2026.
They also urged members of the chapel to conduct themselves peacefully, orderly and professionally during the election.
The statement was signed by the Vice Chairman, Comrade Felix Ekwu; Acting Secretary, Comrade Josephine Omodior; Treasurer, Comrade Caroline Ubini; Auditor, Comrade Celestine Afokobah; and Ex-Officio member, Comrade Christian Eze.
