Gombe NUJ disassociates from attempt to cause disaffection among SWAN members 

By Akanji Alowolodu, Gombe 

Gombe State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has dissociated from what it described as an attempt by some segments in the State working behind the scene, infiltrating the harmonious professional relationships within the Union. 

The assertion is contained in a statement jointly signed by the Council Chairman and Secretary, Saidu Bappah Malala and Danjuma Kala respectively, issued on Monday, 30th October, 2023. 

The statement reads, “The attention of the State Administrative Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Gombe State has been drawn to a group under the guise of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), from Abuja with their accomplice bent on causing chaos and confusion among our recognized leadership of SWAN in the state.”

The NUJ in the statement stated that the group is making arrangements to denounce the leadership and establish a SWAN caretaker committee in the state.

According to NUJ,”This move is contrary to the provision of our Constitution and we cannot fold our arms and allow some people to dictate to us their selfish motives. For the avoidance of doubt we want to reiterate once again that our constitution under Article 9 (1)b still recognizes SWAN as an affiliate of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.”

“Therefore, any attempt by whosoever, under whatsoever platform, aside NUJ that engaged in organizing any SWAN activity within the state, is considered as  unlawful assembly and violates the constitution of our Union,” The NUJ warned. 

The NUJ leadership stressed that,”We therefore call on all our registered members to desist from attending any activity of the group and failure to abide by this directives, such member(s) shall be subjected to disciplinary action in line with Article 7 of our Constitution.”

It further stated that,”In the same vein, we call on the security agencies in the state to take proactive measures on such person(s) that may want to breach the existing peace in the state.”