National Industrial Court to Hear Suit Over Alleged Tenure Elongation by NUJ Leadership
ABUJA/Nigeria: The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, sitting in Abuja, is set to hear a case challenging the alleged illegal tenure extension by the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by Chris Isiguzo. The court has now assigned the matter to a judge, paving the way for hearings to commence.
The lawsuit was filed by Abdulwaheed Adubi, a concerned member of the NUJ from the Kaduna Council, through his counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Ibrahim Bawa. Adubi is seeking the court’s interpretation of key provisions within the NUJ Constitution regarding the tenure of the CWC, which was elected into office on 6th October 2021.
Central to Adubi’s case is the constitutionality of the NUJ National Executive Committee’s (NEC) decision to extend the CWC’s tenure. The claimant is questioning whether the NEC has the authority to extend the leadership’s mandate in light of the specific provisions of the Union’s Constitution.
Additionally, Adubi is challenging the establishment of the Credentials Committee for the Union’s 8th Triennial Delegates Conference, formed by the Isiguzo-led NEC less than three months before the executive’s term was set to expire, claiming it violates the NUJ Constitution.
The claimant’s legal team has also emphasised that the suit aims to curb “executive rascality and recklessness” within the leadership of the NUJ. They argue that a clear judicial interpretation of the NUJ Constitution is necessary to prevent future abuses of power.
The tenure of the current Isiguzo-led executive, which began on 7th October 2021, officially ended on 6th October 2024, according to the Union’s Constitution. Reports indicate that Chris Isiguzo vacated his office at the NUJ’s National Secretariat in Abuja on 6th October 2024, amid concerns over the legitimacy of his continued leadership.
The legal proceedings are expected to provide clarity on the contentious issue of leadership tenure within the NUJ, with wide implications for the Union’s governance and future leadership transitions.
