Opinion-
In the world of unionism, where the spirit of camaraderie and collective aspirations should reign supreme, the air is thick with whispers of clandestine schemes and brazen acts that threaten to undermine the sanctity of the democratic process.
As the forthcoming NUJ FCT Council election approaches, it is imperative for all to be on high alert, for the stakes have never been higher.
They say, “Forewarned is forearmed,” and it seems that shadows of manipulation have begun their dance. Like a plot from a playwright’s cautionary tale, plans have allegedly been hatched to manipulate and subvert the course of free and fair elections. Behind the scenes, where daylight has yet to cast its cleansing gaze, sinister blueprints are said to be taking shape.
Picture, if you will, a press planning to be printing voter cards from the dark confines of UTC, a blatant subversion that undermines the integrity of our union.
It is whispered that hands in collusion, are prepared to doctor the membership list with the assistance of an embattled council chairman—a familiar character who has yet to shake off the shadow of controversy.
Even the ballot papers, symbols of democratic choice, are not left untouched. Allegations abound of overprinting, laying the groundwork for select individuals to drop not one but ten papers into the ballot box, like actors playing their predetermined roles.
As if that were not enough, the script reportedly calls for the voter list to be revealed only on Election Day, a move that blindsides the unsuspecting and disorients the prepared.
In this unfolding drama, there are whispers of a strategy as devious as it is undemocratic: disenfranchising genuine members to replace them with individuals of questionable ties—cooperative staff, cleaners, and journalists allegedly imported from neighboring states, ready to play their parts in this orchestrated performance.
The specter of legal ambushes looms large, with rumors of court judgments being prepared to derail legitimate candidacies before ballots are even cast. And then, there is talk of using ID cards as golden tickets for those unregistered, transforming a mark of professionalism into a weapon of manipulation.
The drums of election day may yet be drowned out by the heavy boots of security forces, poised to intimidate and harass legitimate voters. And in a final act of defiance, there is said to be a plan to shut out voters from certain camps, wielding arbitrary power like a club.
It is not lost on anyone that these orchestrators, rather than investing their energies in canvassing for support or rallying their constituencies, have bet their fortunes on the promise of illegality. They seek shortcuts, hoping that in the chaos of impropriety, their ambitions might find purchase.
Yet, in the face of such shadows, professionalism and integrity must be our guiding stars.
As members of a union built on truth and fairness, we are reminded of the words of the great poet Alexander Pope: “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.” Let us tread cautiously, armed with vigilance and the resolute belief that no act of deceit can withstand the light of collective resolve.
We must call upon every member to remain watchful, to rise above intimidation, and to ensure that our voices are heard loud and clear. The history of journalism is replete with tales of courage and defiance in the face of adversity. Let this election be a chapter that reaffirms our commitment to these values.
The shadows may scheme, but light always finds a way. Stay alert, stay united, and let us safeguard the future of our union.
The General public must be aware of the following plans : 1 . Printing of cards from UTC: Recall that a certain aspirant seeking for the Chairmanship position went behind to beg the National Secretariat for extension to enable him alone register over 700 voters secretly many of them from cooperatives and none journalists.
While they were planning evil, others were busy consulting and selling their candidature. Refusal to this request angered the camp to resolve to printing of ID cards from the popular UTC ahead of the forth coming elections.
They failed to plan when the day was still bright because they were banking on the upfront 40million naira rent from the Electronics Mall rented out by the union, to fund their campaign .
A certain member who was never in their camp had challenged the current exco of not been transparent over the said millions not accounted for but alas, he joined the camp when he was offered membership of the credentials committee to disqualify all candidates and allow thier preferred candidates to scale through.
2. There are plans to Doctor the list of registered members with the help of the embattled council chairman
3. Over printing of ballot papers for easy manipulation
4. There are persons who have been marked to ensure they carry out this act of dropping more than 10 papers into the ballot box
5. Releasing or publishing of voters list on Election Day as against four (4) days to election for claims6. Removing names of registered members or supporters of a certain candidate from the list of voters
7. There are plans by a former chairman to distabilize the election
8. Use of ID cards to vote for those who did not register and non NUJ members
9. Use of security (police) to arrest voters not supporting their candidates
10. Plans by a certain former Chairman of Council who is power drunk to contest the national Election immediately after the tenure of the incoming administration hence alhe has vowed to scuttle the election for his personal interest .
11. Disallowing registered members from camps not belonging to theirs to vote
12. Plans to delay the process so that the national election will hold and It will help them achieve their evil purpose.
There are more sinister plans by the desperate camp to delay the election exercise particularly sales of forms to enable them perfect their evil plans. There are also plans to ensure forged receipts in their possession to clear those petitioned .
This idea was birthed by the chairman of FRCN chapel narrating that the embattled Secretary of council will be assigned to do the dirty job.
The one million dollar question begging for answer is WHO IS REALLY AFRAID OF THE ELECTION AND WHY IS A CERTAIN FORMER CHAIRMAN INTERESTED IN WHO TAKES OVER ?
More imperative, is the need for Members to demand the last six years financial statement of NUJ FCT council immediately.
By Usman Abubakar, a Public Affairs Analyst
