Oyo NUJ chapel alleges plot to disenfranchise members

Oyo NUJ chapel alleges plot to disenfranchise members

The Guild of Online Media Practitioners of Oyo State (GOMPOS) on Thursday alleged a plot by the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists to disenfranchise its members from taking part in the forthcoming election of the union in the state on December 9, 2025.

GOMPOS was formed and recognised by the state council of NUJ as an online chapel of NUJ in 2022 after meeting all requirements, including financial implication for such establishment.

In a statement signed by the group’s chairman, Comrade Femi Atoyebi and its Secretary, Comrade Dapo Falade, the group stated that its members had been taking part in NUJ activities since its formation, making representation in the state council’s congresses and national activities.

It added that its members met their financial obligations for dues and identity card for 2025, which was paid to the national secretariat account.

The statement said GOMPOS secretary, Falade, had engaged national NUJ leadership, including the National Secretary, Comrade Achike Achude, in discussion on the status of GOMPOS members as bonafide online journalists, while official documents of registration of their platforms issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission were also sent to the national secretariat through the state council.

“After it was suspected that there was a plot to disenfranchise GOMPOS members, the secretary contacted NUJ National President, Alhaji Alhassan Yayha, but he said that he was in the dark over the matter.

“This chapel is therefore coming to the open to make public the intent of some members of the outgoing Comrade Ademola Babalola-led leadership of the Oyo Council to disenfranchise GOMPOS members, in connivance with some people at the NUJ National Secretariat.

“Of what benefit is the NUJ to GOMPOS if its members would be denied their rights and privileges, including taking part in the forthcoming Oyo Council election?

“GOMPOS is therefore demanding that the NUJ refund the sum of N750,000 (Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand naira), being the sum that 25 of its members paid to the National Secretariat for the 2025 Annual Due and Identity Cards if NUJ leadership insists on disenfranchising them,” the group stated.