By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi State Council, have elected Abdulra’uf Oyewole of The Guardian as the new Chairman of the Chapel for a three-year tenure.
Oyewole emerged victorious in a keenly contested election held on Wednesday at the Chapel’s office, defeating Samuel Luka of Daily Times by 18 votes to 16.
Other elected officers are Muhammad Nasiru Shuaibu of Telegraph as Secretary, Adamu Shehu Imam of Trust TV as Treasurer, and David Adenuga of The Nation as Auditor.
Muhammad Kawu of New Nigerian Newspapers was elected Vice Chairman unopposed.
Speaking after his election, Oyewole described his victory as a responsibility entrusted to him by members rather than a personal achievement.
He pledged to promote fairness, transparency, members’ welfare and professional development, while working to strengthen unity and cooperation within the Chapel.
Oyewole congratulated all the contestants, particularly his chairmanship rival, Luka, saying the election had produced new leaders rather than winners and losers.
He called on members to put the election behind them and work collectively towards building a stronger, more united and professional union.
The Bauchi NUJ Council Chairman, Comrade Isa Garba Gadau, charged the new executive to carry all members along in its administration and shun sentiments and divisive tendencies.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Electoral/Credentials Committee and immediate past Chairman of the Chapel, Ahmed Mohammed of Media Trust, commended members for the peaceful conduct of the election.
Mohammed urged the new leadership and members to sustain the spirit of unity and cooperation demonstrated during the electoral process.
The final results showed that the chairmanship election was won by Oyewole with 18 votes against Luka’s 16.
For the Secretary position, Shuaibu polled 20 votes to defeat Armstrong Bakam of Arise Television, who scored 14 votes.
Imam won the Treasurer position with 18 votes, defeating Sahid Aiyinde Olaide of the News Agency of Nigeria, who scored 16 votes.
The positions of Vice Chairman and Auditor were won unopposed.
