STATE OF AFFAIRS OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ) BENUE STATE COUNCIL: OUR POSITION

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED BY THE CORRESPONDENTS’ CHAPEL OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ), BENUE STATE COUNCIL, AT AN EMERGENCY CONGRESS HELD ON MAY 27, 2026, AT THE CORRESPONDENTS’ CHAPEL OFFICE, MAKURDI

The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, at its Emergency Congress held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at the Correspondents’ Chapel Office, Makurdi, deliberated extensively on issues affecting the union and the conduct of the State Council leadership.

After exhaustive deliberations, the Chapel resolved as follows:

1. The Chapel passed a vote of confidence in the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia, his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, and other media handlers for their commitment to the development of the state and their cordial relationship with journalists.

2. The Chapel congratulated Governor Alia on his 60th birthday anniversary and his victory at the APC governorship primaries, and pledged continued partnership with his administration towards sustained development and progress in Benue State.

3. Members commended the Chief Press Secretary for his professional handling of media relations and his efforts towards sanitising the media space and discouraging quackery in journalism practice within the state.

4. The Correspondents’ Chapel dissociated itself entirely from the Communiqué issued at the recent Congress of the NUJ Benue State Council.

5. The Chapel noted with concern that the position contained in the said Communiqué did not reflect the true decisions and opinions of genuine members present at the Congress, as non-professionals and hired individuals were used to influence the outcome of the meeting.

6. The Chapel expressed concern over the alleged failure of the State Council leadership to account for the sum of Two Million Naira (₦2 million) reportedly realised from schools owned by the Council, as well as Three Million Naira (₦3 million) allegedly collected from the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Wannune, for the purchase of chairs for the NUJ.

7. Members further raised concerns that although they were informed the funds were paid in instalments, there had been no proper explanation or accountability regarding the utilisation of the money.

8. The Chapel also notes that out of the Ten Million Naira (₦10 million), a bus, and palm trees donated by Governor Alia to the NUJ during his visit to the Council, the Chairman allegedly diverted Three Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (₦3.5 million), which members claimed had not been properly accounted for.

9. Members condemned the conversion of the NUJ bus to commercial use by the Chairman, where journalists were reportedly required to pay Fifty Thousand Naira (₦50,000) or more before accessing the vehicle for use.

10. The Chapel further accused the NUJ Chairman of factionalising the union by allegedly patronising non-members at the expense of genuine members and engaging in public altercations over financial matters, thereby bringing the image of the union into disrepute.

11. Members cited the recent incident at the APC Secretariat during the presidential primaries where the Chairman allegedly engaged some members physically and held them hostage for hours over issues relating to money.

12. The Chapel described as embarrassing and unacceptable the alleged public comments credited to the NUJ Chairman portraying Governor Alia as “stingy” when compared with governors of other states such as Plateau, Akwa Ibom, and Kano States, who were allegedly said to have provided higher financial support to journalists, whereas Benue State reportedly released a paltry ₦2.5 million after the primaries.

13. Members also stated that the Chairman, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, attempted to push for industrial action without the consent or approval of the State Working Committee (SWC), State Executive Council (SEC), and Congress of the Union, while also allegedly refusing to subject the Council’s finances to audit since assuming office over a year ago.

14. The Chapel strongly advised Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, to refrain from using the Union to fight his personal battles.

15. Consequently, the Correspondents’ Chapel passed a vote of no confidence in the NUJ Chairman Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, over what it described as unruly behaviour and repeated public embarrassment of the union over monetary issues.

16. The Chapel directed all its members serving in the State Working Committee (SWC), State Executive Committee (SEC) and other Committees of the Council to withdraw from all activities of the State Council until further notice.

17. In view of the above, the Chapel has withdrawn from all activities of the State Council pending the satisfactory resolution of all issues raised.

18. The Chapel further adopted the earlier letter dated October 6, 2025, issued to the Chairman seeking explanations on the various allegations and related matters. (See attached letter) 

Signed:
Comrade Martins Kajo
Chairman
John Shiaondo
Secretary
Tor Vande-Acka
Member