By Aloysius Umalo, Makurdi
A major crisis has erupted within the Benue State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as the Correspondents’ Chapel openly accused the state Chairman , Mr. Bemdoo Ugber of financial mismanagement, abuse of office, and dragging the union into public disgrace.
At an emergency congress held Wednesday in Makurdi, members of the Chapel passed a vote of no confidence on the NUJ State Chairman, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, alleging that he diverted union funds, commercialised the council bus, and turned the union into a platform for personal battles.
The Chapel particularly alleged that over ₦5 million realised from NUJ-owned schools and the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Wannune, had not been properly accounted for.
The Chapel further claimed that out of the ₦10 million support fund, a bus, and palm trees donated to the union by Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia, the Chairman allegedly diverted ₦3.5 million without clear explanation.
In one of the strongest accusations contained in the communiqué, the Chapel condemned what it described as the “commercialisation” of the NUJ bus, alleging that journalists were forced to pay as much as ₦50,000 before being allowed access to the vehicle.
The group also accused the Chairman of factionalising the union by allegedly empowering non-members while sidelining genuine journalists, and claimed he publicly embarrassed the NUJ through repeated disputes over money.
The Chapel members cited a recent incident during the APC presidential primaries at the party secretariat where the Chairman allegedly engaged some journalists physically and held them hostage behind closed doors for hours over financial disagreements.
The Chapel further described as “embarrassing and unacceptable” alleged comments credited to the Chairman portraying Governor Alia as “stingy” compared to governors of Plateau, Akwa Ibom and Kano states over financial support to journalists after the primaries.
Despite the internal crisis rocking the union, the Correspondents’ Chapel passed a vote of confidence on Governor Alia, his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, and the governor’s media team for what it described as cordial relations with journalists and efforts to sanitise journalism practice in the state.
The Chapel also distanced itself from the recent communiqué issued by the NUJ State Council, insisting that the outcome of that congress was manipulated by “non-professionals and hired individuals.”
Consequently, members directed all Correspondents’ Chapel representatives serving in the State Working Committee, State Executive Council, and other committees to immediately withdraw from all activities of the NUJ Benue State Council pending resolution of the issues raised.
