NUJ Benue Correspondents withdrawal: journalists suspend participation in state council activities over leadership dispute and alleged financial mismanagement

The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, has withdrawn from all activities of the state council following escalating disagreements with the leadership of the union.

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The decision was contained in a communiqué issued after an emergency congress held on 27 May 2026 at the Correspondents’ Chapel office in Makurdi.

Signed by the Chapel Chairman, Comrade Martins Kajo, and Secretary, John Shiaondo, the communiqué stated that members resolved to suspend participation in all state council activities pending the resolution of internal disputes.

The chapel also directed its representatives serving in the State Working Committee, State Executive Council and other committees to step down from their roles until further notice.

In a major escalation, members passed a vote of no confidence in the Chairman of the NUJ Benue State Council, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, accusing him of misconduct and actions they described as damaging to the integrity of the union.

They alleged instances of financial mismanagement, including claims that funds generated from council-owned schools and external donations had not been properly accounted for.

The group also raised concerns over alleged irregularities involving N2 million reportedly generated from union-owned schools, N3 million said to have been received from the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Wannune, and additional donations including a bus and palm trees from the state government.

The chapel further alleged that part of the funds tied to these donations had not been properly accounted for, raising questions over transparency in financial dealings within the council.

Members also criticised the alleged commercial use of the NUJ bus, claiming journalists were charged fees for official assignments, a development they described as unacceptable.

In addition, the correspondents distanced themselves from a recent communiqué issued by the state council, particularly one involving a purported vote of no confidence against the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula.

They insisted that the position did not represent the collective view of professional journalists present at the meeting, alleging manipulation of the process by non-professionals.

Despite the internal crisis, the chapel passed a vote of confidence in Governor Hyacinth Alia, his Chief Press Secretary, and other media aides, commending their relationship with journalists in the state.

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The development highlights deepening tensions within the NUJ Benue State Council as stakeholders await possible intervention to resolve the dispute.