THE Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Oyo State chapter has reacted to the purported dissolution of the union by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), describing it as “an attempted rape on the NUJ constitution, our fundamental rights.”
A statement by NAWOJ secretary, Stella Oyebanji, which was made available to newsmen read: “The attention of the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ Oyo State Chapter has been drawn to the purported illegal and laughable dissolution of the Jadesola Ajibola-led executive over spurious, phantom, unsubstantiated and unverified allegations levelled without basis against the Executive without any due process known to the NUJ Constitution and the Nigeria Constitution 1999 as amended, which is so fundamental.
“The brazen attempt and futile effort is a rape on the NUJ Constitution and our fundamental right.
“More importantly, the names of the so-called signatories collected are not known to NAWOJ, Oyo State chapter.
“To put it mildly, the sponsored charade that took place is akin to a coup and totally allen to the NUJ and NAWOJ.
“Importantly, Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended with regards to fundamental rights and fair hearing is explicit: “Relying on Article 5(b)(10) of the NUJ Constitution, 2022, it provides for the protection of our rights as Executive members and right to fair hearing as stipulated in the Nigeria’s ground norm:
“The purported invitation extended to the Chairperson of NAWOJ to appear before the kangaroo Ethics and Disciplinary Committee made up of people of doubtful characters fell short of the provisions of Article 7 of the Constitution of the NUJ, 2022.
“We aver that those who purportedly met to take decision on behalf of NAWOJ, Oyo Chapter are neither registered nor financial members of the association.
“This makes their purported actions illegal, null and void as they are mere meddlesome interlopers.
“As democratically-elected members of the Executive of NAWOJ, Oyo Chapter, the charade is a nullity and Jadesola Ajibola is and remains the authentic Chairperson of NAWOJ, Oyo State Chapter with members of her executive committee.
“As the leaders of NAWOJ, we are by this statement informing all security agencies to arrest any impostor who parades and holds herself as a member of an illegal Caretaker Committee of NAWOJ, Oyo State. As law abiding citizens, we are bound by the rule of law.
“We urge all bonafide and duly registered members of NAWOJ to go about their normal duties as we continue to challenge the moves of undemocratic forces marauding as journalists in Oyo state and NAWOJ in particular. You cannot build something on nothing.”
