NUJ 2024: THOSE AGAINST ENDORSEMENT ARE BITTER SOULS; ‘AS E DEY PAIN THEM, E DEY SWEET US!’
Once again, it has come to our attention a relentless feeble attempt to bad-mouth the torrents of endorsements coming the way of the frontline NUJ presidential candidate, Alh. Comr. Alhassan Yahya and other candidates under the A+A Campaign team, in the forthcoming triennial delegates conference in Imo state, dubbed ‘Owerri 2024’.
This campaign of calumny is obviously coming from bitter souls who are envious of the growing popularity of the A+A Campaign Team and the overwhelming endorsements and adoptions of the candidates, especially our presidential candidate, by different state Councils and Zonal caucuses of our great Union.
Out of envy and bitterness of heart, our opponents have been relentless in their futile attempt to downgrade, if not demonize the act of endorsement. But the more they do so, the more the endorsements are coming!
Like we said in our earlier reaction, we want to say again: “LET THE ADOPTION, ENDORSEMENT OF CAPACITY, COMPETENCE CONTINUE”.
The latest attempt at dissing the endorsement is the watery, disjointed write up by our opponents under the fake pseudonym and non-existent group, “‘SAVE-NUJ-NOW!’ Movement”
The Alhassan and Abimbola (A+A) Campaign Council again wishes to express her gratitude and appreciation to all the Councils and Zonal caucuses for their adoption and endorsement of Comrade Alhassan Yahya and Mrs. Abimbola Oyetunde as sole Presidential and Deputy Presidential Candidates in the coming National Triennial Delegates Conference.
It’s worth reiterating for the upteenth time that political endorsements and adoptions are positive part of democratic and electoral processes as witnessed even in the recent American elections, Ondo guber poll and even that of the recent election of the President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe.
The A+A Campaign Council rejects any negative insinuations in some quarters regarding the endorsements.
In spite of the endorsements, the A+A Campaign Council is not resting on its oars, but have visited more Councils and Zones trying to market our candidates. As a matter of fact, such endorsements always come after our presidential candidate, Alh. Comr. Alhassan Yahya had unfolded his manifesto and after fielding questions from members of the various Councils visited. We see such endorsement as a vote of confidence in the capacity and integrity of our candidates, more so as such endorsements flow out of self volition without compulsion.
The insinuations and negative imputations, therefore, can only be borne out of envy and hopelessness when faced with impending and resounding defeat.
We state without equivocation that what councils and members are doing, and which many more councils and members are waiting to do, is an endorsement and affirmation of the competence and capacity which they saw in the candidacy of Alhaji Comrade Alhassan Yahya and Abimbola Oyetunde.
We restate again that innuendos in some quarters that “NUJ is not a political party that should engage in preelection Endorsements” can only be a product of mischief or naivety. There are historical proofs that like minds in NUJ, and indeed other professional bodies form lineups during delegates conferences and do receive endorsements by their members and supporters.
It is ignorance on the part of anybody to believe that endorsement forecloses election. Of course election will hold as already slated but delegates are already externalizing their preferences through such endorsements. And it’s absolutely democratic and lawful
And as we said before, forming a team only shows strength, common vision, and unity of purpose which will be reflected in post election administration. We surely don’t need a central working committee where members will be working at cross purposes or where an individual will turn a petty dictator.
It’s worth repeating that Alhassan and Abimbola as well as other candidates within their camp are no strangers to NUJ. Their rich historical antecedents and advertised manifesto are even more compelling and alluring to members of our great Union, hence the torrential endorsements.
The A+A Campaign Council, therefore, welcomes the endorsements and adoptions and even many more to come. We cannot help any sinking ship in this regard. The A+A Campaign Council is a moving train ready to take many more forward-looking members of our Union on board, knowing that: “Forward Together, Greater Union”.
For the avoidance of doubt, Alhassan Yahya has made his manifesto clear and has been brilliantly espousing same everywhere he went.
The NUJ Presidential Candidate, and the current Deputy National President of our Union, Comrade Alhassan Yahya promised that his administration would reintroduce insurance scheme (especially health insurance) and weigh-in allowance for journalists.
He also made a commitment to restructure the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), establish NUJ online radio, develop the infrastructure at the NUJ Secretariat, ensure capacity building for journalists, sustain press freedom, and work with other stakeholders to attract FG’S intervention fund for the media and reintroduce a bill for new salary structure (media enhancement bill).
Yahya has also explained that he chose a female running mate because of his belief that women should be given equal opportunities, adding that if elected his deputy would not be a spare tyre, but equal contributor in the running of the Union alongside other stakeholders.
We reiterate that no force can stop an idea whose time has come! Please let the adoptions and endorsements come, we are ready to receive them and ultimately we are ready for the victory by God’s grace during the NUJ Triennial Delegates Conference slated for Owerri, Imo state on November 27, 2024.
E-Signed:
Comrade Kenneth Ofoma
Secretary General
A+A Campaign Council
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