Tension has escalated within the Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) after members of the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel passed a vote of no confidence on the State Council Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, over what they described as unconstitutional actions ahead of the chapel’s upcoming election.
The decision was reached during an emergency congress convened by the chapel to discuss recent developments concerning the election scheduled for Monday, March 16, 2026.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, members expressed serious concern about actions allegedly taken by the state chairman which they said contradict provisions of the NUJ Constitution 2023 (as amended), which he had sworn to uphold upon assuming office.
The Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, which was established more than 30 years ago to bring together journalists working in Warri and surrounding areas, stated that it has maintained a stable and peaceful union structure with 32 qualified practicing members. According to the chapel, the last intake of new members took place over 13 years ago, and the body has since managed its affairs without internal conflict.
However, members said they were disturbed by what they described as the chairman’s unilateral decision to remove some members from the voters’ register ahead of the chapel election. They argued that this action violates Article 3:3(g) of the NUJ Constitution.
The congress also accused the chairman of running the state secretariat as though it were his personal office, alleging that major decisions affecting the council and its chapels were made without consulting other members of the State Working Committee. They said this approach contradicts Article 5:D(e) of the NUJ Constitution.
Members pointed to the alleged delisting and excommunication of some eligible members, as well as the chairman’s handling of the 2026 Credentials Committee report dated March 8, 2026, titled “Re: Approved Date for Warri Correspondents’ Chapel Election and Resolution of Petitions.” They noted that the document was reportedly signed despite objections from the Acting State Secretary.
The chapel also criticized the removal of some qualified members who work as correspondents for online media organisations, insisting that such action violates Section 3:2(a) of the NUJ Constitution (2023 as amended).
In addition, the congress alleged that the chairman ignored constitutional provisions by denying voting rights to members who practice outside the physical location of their media organisations, which they said contravenes Article 5(F3) of the union’s constitution.
Members emphasized that the forthcoming chapel election is not a screening exercise, stressing that no individual — including the state council chairman — has the authority to determine who is eligible to vote or participate in the electoral process.
They further noted that the role of the state council leadership, as outlined in Article 6:6 of the NUJ Constitution, is only to supervise the election and not to decide who qualifies as a voter.
Based on these concerns, the congress unanimously passed a vote of no confidence on Comrade Oyowe, stating that his actions could undermine democratic principles within the union.
The motion for the vote of no confidence was moved by Comrade Joe Ogbodu, correspondent of The Sun Newspaper, and seconded by Comrade Emma Arubi. The resolution was unanimously adopted by the 21 members who attended the congress.
Following the decision, the chapel called on the Delta State Council Chairman to step aside, resign, or face impeachment in accordance with the NUJ Constitution for allegedly failing to uphold the constitution he swore to defend.
The congress also appealed to the NUJ national secretariat to urgently intervene by ensuring that Comrade Oyowe does not supervise the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel election. Members noted that a similar issue was reportedly observed during the Ughelli Correspondents’ Chapel election.
They said the chapel would cooperate with any other individuals or committee assigned by the State Working Committee to supervise the election in line with constitutional provisions.
The members also urged the national secretariat to direct the Delta State Working Committee to immediately reinstate all members who were removed or excommunicated from the chapel so they can fully participate in the upcoming election. They further demanded that those allegedly disqualified from contesting positions be cleared to run for office.
While reaffirming their commitment to the rule of law, press freedom, and democratic principles within the union, members commended the national secretariat for what they described as its continued efforts to uphold and defend the NUJ constitution.
The communiqué was signed by the Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee, Comrade Joe Ogbodu; the committee’s Secretary, Comrade Onyeka Meleuwa; member, Comrade Sunny Ariegwe; as well as the Chairman of the Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Victor Okpomor, and the chapel’s Secretary, Comrade Edeki Igafe.
