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 Delta State Council, Churchill Oyowe, over alleged unconstitutional actions concerning the forthcoming chapel election scheduled for March 16, 2026.
The resolution was reached during an emergency congress of the chapel held on March 11, 2026, where members deliberated on developments surrounding the conduct of the election and decisions taken by the state council leadership.
In a communiqué signed by Joe Ogbodu, chairman of the drafting committee; Onyeka Meluwa, secretary, Victor Okpomor, Chairman, Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, amongst others, the chapel expressed concern over what it described as actions by the state chairman that were inconsistent with provisions of the 2023 amended constitution of the NUJ.
The Warri Correspondents’ Chapel noted that the union was established over three decades ago to accommodate journalists practicing in Warri and its environs and currently has 32 qualified practicing members. According to the communiqué, the chapel has maintained peaceful coexistence among its members and has managed its affairs without rancor over the years.
Members alleged that the state council chairman unilaterally delisted some members from the voters’ register ahead of the chapel election, a move they said unjustly disenfranchised affected journalists and contravened provisions of the NUJ constitution.
The chapel also accused the state chairman of running the council secretariat without adequate consultation with other members of the State Working Committee, stating that critical decisions affecting chapels and members were allegedly taken unilaterally.
Particular reference was made to a letter dated March 8, 2026, titled “Approved Date for Warri Correspondents’ Chapel Election and Resolution of Petitions,” which members claimed was issued against the advice of the acting state secretary.
The congress further raised concerns over the alleged delisting of journalists working for online media organisations, arguing that such action violates the constitutional provision that recognizes qualified practicing journalists, including those working with digital media platforms.
Members also faulted what they described as the denial of participation rights to journalists who practice outside the physical location of their media organisations, insisting that such a position contradicts the provisions of the NUJ constitution.
The chapel maintained that the role of the state council leadership in chapel elections is limited to supervising the electoral process and does not extend to determining the eligibility of members to vote or contest.
Consequently, a motion of no confidence against the state council chairman was moved by Joe Ogbodu, correspondent of The Sun Newspaper, and seconded by Emma Arubi. The motion was unanimously adopted by 21 members present at the congress.
The chapel called on Oyowe to step aside, resign, or face impeachment in line with the provisions of the NUJ constitution for allegedly failing to uphold the principles of the union.
It also appealed to the national leadership of the NUJ to urgently intervene in the matter and ensure that the state chairman does not supervise the forthcoming Warri Correspondents’ Chapel election.
The congress urged the national secretariat to direct the Delta State Working Committee to immediately reinstate all members who were allegedly delisted or excommunicated from the chapel so they can participate in the election.
Additionally, the chapel requested that those who were disqualified from contesting elective positions be cleared to participate in the electoral process.
Despite the dispute, the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rule of law, press freedom, members’ rights and democratic principles within the NUJ, while also commending the national secretariat for its role in upholding the union’s constitution.
