Impeachment Rocks NUJ FCT Council: SEC takes over after ‘Vote of No Confidence’
The State Executive Committee (SEC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council has ratified the impeachment of Mr. Patrick Osadebamwen and his entire State Working Committee (SWC) following their controversial actions during a congress held on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at the NUJ Secretariat, Plot 4, Cadastral Zone BO5, Ekukinam Street, Utako, Abuja.
The decision, which has sent ripples through the union, is based on allegations of gross misconduct and a violation of the NUJ constitution.
During the congress, Mr. Osadebamwen, who presided as chairman, was accused of violating Article 5 (9d) of the NUJ Constitution. The article stipulates that “The Credentials Committee at the State Council level shall be nominated by the State Congress subject to the approval of the National Secretariat.” However, Mr. Osadebamwen reportedly disregarded this process, nominating members of the Credentials Committee in a manner perceived as biased and in favor of an “anointed candidate.”
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A majority of congress attendees, over two-thirds, expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as an “outright and open display of bias, partiality, and favoritism” by Mr. Osadebamwen. His actions led the congress to pass a ‘Vote of No Confidence,’ effectively removing the entire SWC from office.
Following this dramatic turn of events, the SEC, in an emergency meeting held on Sunday, October 20, 2024, endorsed the resolution of the congress and officially took over the leadership of the NUJ FCT Council. In a press release, the SEC condemned the actions of Mr. Osadebamwen and his team, labeling them as “ridiculous, undemocratic, and unconstitutional.”
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The SEC stated: “In view of the above misdemeanours and infractions on the part of the State Working Committee (SWC), the State Executive Committee (SEC) considered it necessary to hold an emergency meeting today and took the following decisions in exercising the power vested in it.”
Among the key resolutions, the SEC ratified the impeachment of Mr. Osadebamwen and his executives, announced the takeover of the council, and warned the public and government officials against engaging with the ousted executives. “The SEC hereby announces the takeover of the NUJ FCT Council as from today, Sunday, October 20, 2024, and the general public and Nigerian government should not have any official engagement with Mr. Patrick Osadebamwen’s led executive as from this moment onwards,” the release stated.
The SEC also revealed plans to schedule a new congress date to form a Credentials Committee that will organise elections for the council. Additionally, the committee issued a stern warning to the impeached executives, advising them “to desist forthwith from parading themselves as the officials of the council.” It further urged members of the NUJ to “ignore and disregard any press statement purportedly emanating from one Mr. Patrick Osadebamwen and Mr. Ochiaka Ugwu and their allies.”
In closing, the SEC called on members to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that all constitutional provisions would be followed to restore normalcy in the FCT Council. “The following decisions were taken in the overall interest of the Council to save it from further public opprobrium, embarrassment, and ridicule,” the SEC stressed.
The emergency meeting was attended by top officials of the NUJ, including Yahaya Ndambabo, Chairman VON Chapel; Collins Yakubu-Hammer, Chairman NAN Chapel; Shakirat Alabi, Chairperson FRCN (Abuja Operations); Niyi Lawal, Secretary FCTA Chapel; Abubakar Akwanga, Chairman NTA Chapel; and others.
The SEC emphasized that its actions were guided by the provisions of Article 5, Part C (10a-b) and Part E (1h) of the NUJ Constitution, which grants it the authority to dissolve the SWC upon a vote of no confidence by a two-thirds majority of congress attendees. These actions were deemed necessary to protect the union from further disrepute.
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