By Bitrus Eneka
The Chairman of the Sunday John Campaign Team for the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) chairmanship election in Nasarawa State, Comrade Isaac Upkoju, has called on journalists to see themselves as agenda setters and not allow politics to divide them ahead of the union’s election scheduled for July 20, 2026.
Comrade Upkoju made the call while leading the campaign team of NUJ chairmanship aspirant, Mr. Sunday John, on a courtesy visit to the NUJ Information Chapel in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.
Presenting the aspirant to the leadership and members of the chapel, Upkoju said journalists must remain united and focused on promoting the ideals of the profession rather than allowing political interests to create divisions within the union.
He described Sunday John as a seasoned journalist and administrator who has acquired the experience and leadership skills needed to take the NUJ to greater heights. According to him, the achievements recorded by the current administration were made possible through teamwork, noting that Sunday John, as the current Secretary of the Council, played a significant role in the successes of the outgoing leadership.
Upkoju further stated that the aspirant’s 13-point agenda demonstrates his readiness to lead the union if elected chairman on July 20, 2026.
He urged journalists across the state to support Sunday John’s candidacy in order to sustain and build upon the achievements of the incumbent chairman, Comrade Salihu Muhammad Alkali, during his six-year tenure.
In his response, the Chairman of the NUJ Information Chapel, Comrade Murtala Shaibu, said the Nasarawa State Council of the NUJ requires leaders who are committed to consolidating on the legacy projects of the current administration for the benefit of journalists in the state.
Shaibu appreciated Sunday John and his campaign team for the visit and wished them success in their quest for the chairmanship position.
Speaking during the visit, the NUJ chairmanship aspirant and current Secretary of the Council, Mr. Sunday John, assured members of the Information Chapel that he would not disappoint them if entrusted with the mandate to lead the union.
He pledged to transform the NUJ Press Centre into a vibrant hub that would attract both journalists and non-journalists, while outlining several projects he intends to execute if elected chairman.
