Comrade Alhassan Yahaya has been elected as the new President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), marking a historic moment for the union. Yahaya, who previously served as the National Deputy President, defeated his opponents at the 8th Triennial Delegate Conference held in Owerri, the capital of Imo State.
The election, which concluded in the early hours of Thursday, saw Yahaya secure a landslide victory. He received 436 votes, far ahead of his closest contender, Dele Atunbi, the outgoing Treasurer, who garnered 97 votes. Another candidate, Mohammed Garba, trailed with 39 votes.
The results were announced by Mike Ikeogwu, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, who declared Yahaya the winner.
Ikeogwu said, “By the powers vested in me as the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, I hereby declare that Alhassan Yahya, having polled the highest number of votes, is returned as President of the NUJ for the next three years.”
Yahaya, who hails from Gombe State and works with the Gombe State Media Corporation, becomes the first NUJ President from Nigeria’s North-East region. In his acceptance speech, he promised to lead with humility and integrity, pledging to uphold the union’s constitution “with all fairness, equity, and justice.”
Yahaya succeeds Chief Chris Isuguzo, who served two terms as NUJ President. The conference also saw Abimbola Oyetunde, General Manager of Radio Nigeria Bronze FM, Benin, elected unopposed as the new Deputy National President, making her the first woman to hold the position.
Other positions were also filled, with Ekiti State’s Ronke Afebioye Samo re-elected as Vice President Zone B and other executive members elected unopposed, reflecting unity within the union.
