Benue correspondents’ Chapel pulls out of NUJ activities

The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Benue State Council has announced its withdrawal from all state‑level activities due to escalating disagreements with the council’s leadership.

The decision was formalised in a communiqué issued after an emergency congress held on 27 May 2026 at the Chapel Office in Makurdi.

Signed by Chapel Chairman Comrade Martins Kajo and Secretary John Shiaondo, the communiqué declared that the Chapel would cease participation in all state‑council activities until the issues raised are resolved. It also instructed members serving on the State Working Committee, State Executive Council, and other council committees to withdraw from those duties immediately.

During the congress, the Chapel passed a vote of no confidence in NUJ Benue State Council Chairman Comrade Bemdoo Ugber. The members cited “unruly behaviour and repeated public embarrassment of the union over monetary issues” as the basis for their decision.

Accusations against Ugber include factionalising the union, favouring non‑members over genuine members, and engaging in public disputes over finances. Members also alleged financial mismanagement, claiming the chairman failed to account for funds from council‑owned schools and donations to the union.

Specifically, the communiqué highlighted concerns about the state council’s handling of N2 million reportedly generated from schools owned by the council and N3 million allegedly received from the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Wannune, for the purchase of chairs. It also mentioned that of the N10 million donated by Governor Hyacinth Alia—including a bus and palm trees—N3.5 million had not been properly accounted for.

The Chapel condemned what it described as the commercial use of the NUJ bus, noting that journalists were reportedly charged up to N50,000 to use the vehicle for official assignments.

Members also dissociated themselves from a recent communiqué issued by the NUJ Benue State Council, which included a vote of no confidence against the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula. They argued that the vote did not reflect the views of genuine members present at the congress and that non‑professionals and hired individuals had influenced the outcome.

In contrast, the Chapel passed a vote of confidence in Governor Hyacinth Alia, his Chief Press Secretary Sir Tersoo Kula, and other state media handlers, praising their cordial relationship with journalists and their commitment to the state’s development.