NAWOJ election: Chizoba Ogbeche, Mohammad disqualified

The National Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Aisha Ibrahim, is set to return for a second term after emerging unopposed ahead of the association’s National Delegates Conference in Kano State.

Ibrahim was returned unopposed alongside the National Secretary, Wasilah Ladan, and several other national officers following the conclusion of the screening exercise by the NAWOJ Electoral Committee.

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However, the build-up to the election has been marked by the disqualification of two aspirants, including the Vice President of NAWOJ, Zone D (North Central), Chizoba Ogbeche, and the Vice President, Zone A, Rabi Mohammad.

According to the Electoral Committee, Ogbeche was disqualified for failing to meet the constitutional requirement relating to attendance at congresses at her chapel level.

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The committee was said to have maintained its decision despite alleged pressure, blackmail, threats, harassment and intimidation directed at its members and the National Chairperson by her husband, who is the current Special Assistant to the Cross River State Governor

Following Ogbeche’s disqualification, Fatima Rasheed of Kwara State, who was cleared after meeting the stipulated requirements for the position of Vice President, Zone D, has emerged unopposed.

Similarly, Rabi Mohammad was disqualified following her appointment as Director of Social Mobilisation at the Sokoto State Universal Basic Education Board.

Under the provisions of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Constitution, a member who accepts a political appointment is no longer eligible to vote or be voted for in the union or any of its affiliates.

With Mohammad’s disqualification, her opponent, Hannatu Mohammed, a former chairperson of Katsina chapter of NAWOJ, has emerged unopposed.

Meanwhile, preparations are in top gear for the NAWOJ Triennial Delegates Conference scheduled to hold in Kano State, where elections will be conducted for the remaining contested positions.

The conference is expected to bring together delegates from across the country as the association prepares to elect officers who will pilot its affairs for the next three years.

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