The Executive Assistant to the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Communications, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe has appealed to the Caretaker Committee of the Delta State Chapter of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, to do the needful so as to ensure peaceful conduct of the Union’s election on Tuesday October 6, 2020.
Oghenesivbe, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Information and Strategy Management, fciism, in a statement on Friday said the appeal became necessary to avoid potholes in the arrangements, adding that the unpleasant outcome of the last election which was cancelled due to obvious discrepancies should not be allowed to repeat itself this time around.
He noted that the two candidates for the election, Comrades Mike Ikeogwu and Churchill Oyowe are popular and eligible but the Union accredited voters should be allowed to freely vote their conscience without undue influence, so that at the end of the exercise the most credible and generally accepted candidate will emerge winner and Chairman of the Union in the state.
Oghenesivbe further asserted that members of the union are key players in governance due to their constitutional roles as members of the fourth estate of the realm, pointing out that the people of Nigeria and indeed Deltans, look up to Journalists as watchdogs of society, which is why it is important that the Union leadership must ensure credibility, transparency and integrity in the conduct of their internal affairs.
“I wish to respectfully appeal to members of the election and/or Caretaker Committee of the state chapter of NUJ to do anything and everything legitimate to ensure the conduct of a free, fair and transparent election, wherein the most credible and popular candidate will emerge winner without undue influence, on Tuesday.
“The names of eligible voters compiled by the Caretaker Committee should be verified and acceptable to the two candidates before election day, and those whose names did not appear on the list after it has been adopted should give pace a chance and must not go close to the voting arena, to avoid hiccups.
“Comrades Michael Ikeogwu and Churchill Oyowe are critical stakeholders in this election as candidates. Both men and their supporters must of a necessity conduct themselves in accordance with the election guidelines; rules and regulations clearly spelt out by the Sonia Unobunjo led Caretaker committee.
“Petty squabbles and name-calling must be avoided so that the election can hold in an atmosphere of tranquillity.
“I wish Comrades Ikeogwu and Oyowe the very best of luck as they slog it out peacefully on Tuesday, and the winner shall embrace the loser,” Oghenesivbe said
