Members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Imo State Council have kicked against the conduct of elections into the executive of the council.
The members say they are opposing the polls owing to the short notice given to contestants and members to prepare for it.
The Secretary of the Credentials Committee, Nze Collins Amadi had in a statement posted on the Imo NUJ WhatsApp platform on Friday, November 18 informed of the polls holding on Saturday, November 19 at 8:00am.
Amadi requested contestants to mobilize their supporters and forward names of their certified agents to reach him before 8:00am on the election day.
The Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Chris Njoku wondered the reason for the hurried manner in which the polls were planned and about to be executed.
Njoku argued that in the circumstance, mobilizing for votes was impossible.
He said; “Sometimes when legitimate things are hurriedly done, you leave loopholes for questions. The credentials committee did not publish for claims and objections. The election is too sudden to mobilise supporters.
“The Constitution says immediately the names of the contestants are published, members shall have right to raise objections before the National Secretariat publishes the final list of contestants. I even learnt that some contestants travelled and are not aware the election has been slated for tomorrow.”
Also commenting on the development, Chris Nwokocha, a former chairmanship aspirant warned against taking members of the union for granted.
Nwokocha, who responded from Anambra State where his son tied the nuptial knot with his heartthrob on Saturday wondered which association would accept to hold polls in less than 24 hours of information about the polls.
He said;”The election is an indication that over 200 practicing Imo journalists can be taken for granted.
“Which organised union will accept an announcement for an election in less than 24 hours from now.
“It is only in this union that you find majority of its members as professionals without character.
“Professionals who are not afraid to face clear cases of fraudulent activities hanging on their necks.
“Professionals who can be offensively bold even when they are caught ‘naked’. Thanks to my son’s wedding holding in Onitsha tomorrow Saturday November 19, and I am already in Onitsha for this purpose.”
