The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Rivers State has appealed to its members to exercise restraint in their actions following the union’s botched election on January 22, 2025.
A statement signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the caretaker committee temporarily charged with the responsibility of running affairs of the council, Lekia Godspower Anya and Boma Waribor, they urged the members to look beyond the events of last Wednesday and give the committee maximum cooperation to reposition the council and conduct a credible election.
The statement reads: “The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council is worried by the escalating increase of banter, name calling, mud-slinging and arguments among colleagues, especially on WhatsApp platform, Facebook and others social media in the last 48 hours over the union’s botched state elections originally scheduled for Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
“Although, it is the inalienable right of members to freely express their thoughts, but it may become detrimental when such expressions begin to impinge on the soul and fabric of our core values which centres on mutual respect, restraint and peace building.
“In the light of the foregoing, the NUJ CTC, Rivers Council, with directive from the national secretariat, therefore calls for ceasefire on all attacks, and arguments among members bothering on the failed elections toward giving room for respite and reinforcement for a new election date to be announced by the national secretariat.
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“Particularly, we call on the leadership of the Mandate and Transformation Teams to caution their associates to ceasefire forthwith.
“It is our considered position that the need to tone down on the rising tamper is very imperative. We cannot allow the outcome of last Wednesday to engulf our spirit of conviviality and camaraderie”
The statement dated January 24, 2025, stated that the caretaker committee is in constant communication with the national secretariat of the union and other stakeholders of the union.
It assured that “there will be light at the end of the tunnel in no distant time. In the interim, we warmly sue for the cooperation of members in this journey to restore the union to its rightful state.
“With your total support, we are committed to a free, fair and credible polls.”
