After about two years of leadership crisis that rocked the Ogun State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), respite returned to Iweiroyin, the symbol of the nation’s cradle of journalism, on Thursday as the Council elected its officials after a keenly contested election that was closely akin only to one of the electoral wars between the Republicans and Democrats in the United States of America.
Comrade Victor Akinwale Olanrewaju of the Ogun State Ministry of Information Chapel emerged chairman while Bunmi Adigun of the Ogun State Television clinched the Secretaryship seat.
Olanrewaju scored 165 votes while his sole challenger; Oluremi Olugbenro of Paramount FM Chapel, doggedly polled 149 votes.
The Chairman of the Electoral Committee and the Chairman of NUJ, Oyo State Council, Ademola Babalola, who announced the election result remarked that it ended on a pleasant note despite the initial tension that trailed the early beginning of the exercise.
Babalola declared Olanrewaju as the chairman of the Ogun State Council of NUJ.
He also declared Bunmi Adigun as the Secretary.
Adigun defeated his challenger, Adenike Olowe by 177 to 129 votes.
Abiodun Lawal of the News Agency of Nigeria was also declared the Vice Chairman of the council having secured 179 votes to defeat his counterpart, Daud Olanrewaju, who scored 128 votes.
Idris Adelakun of the Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation, OGBC, was also elected the Treasurer of the Council with 165 votes, defeating his only opponent, Olumuyiwa Omowunmi of the Nigeria Television Authority, NTA who scored 140 votes.
“The election was keenly contested and we thank God for the contestants generally. In this struggle, there is no winner, no vanquished, at the same time, the winners must not see themselves as taking everything, you must be able to bring on board your major opponents in this election, if at all, all of us are after service delivery.”
The Chairman also announced that two positions were declared unopposed while the last position was uncontested and will be filled by the new leadership through bye election.
“Three positions were unopposed, Oluwatoyin Oyedunmade, who was declared unopposed as the assistance secretary of the Council; the Auditor who was also declared unopposed is Kunle Odunewu, while the position of financial secretary will be filled through bye election within three months.”
The Vice President of the Zone, Comrade Ronke Afebioye Samo, commended the screening committee for delivering the election since the resolution of the National Executive Council to conduct fresh election in the State.
She added that returning peace to Ogun Council of NUJ was part of her agenda as the VP of the zone, adding that the result of the election will usher in a lasting peace in the Council.
She said, “I must commend the Chairman screening committee for their commitment and doggedness. It is my pleasure and gladdens my hearth that this is happening today.
“I remember when I was coming on board, it was part of my electioneering campaign that we are going to return sanity and peace back to Ogun Council, there is no joy when you have six children and one of them is not doing well, a good mother would not be able to sleep well and since then, we started this job and I am happy the committee has delivered and I know this one will be a lasting peace in Ogun Council.”
The election was climaxed with the swearing in of the Chairman by a legal practitioner, while the Chairman sworn in the other elected officers
