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 after defeating Samuel Luka of Daily Times by 18 votes to 16 in a keenly contested election held on Wednesday at the Chapel’s office.
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, while Muhammad Kawu of New Nigerian Newspapers emerged Vice Chairman unopposed.
Speaking after his election, Oyewole described his victory as a responsibility entrusted to him by members, rather than a personal triumph.
He pledged to prioritise fairness, transparency, members’ welfare and professional development, while working to strengthen unity within the Chapel.
He congratulated his co-contestants, particularly Luka, stressing that the election had produced new leaders but no winners or losers, and called on members to work together to build a stronger and more professional union.
The Bauchi NUJ Council Chairman, Comrade Isa Garba Gadau, charged the new leadership to carry every member along and avoid sentiments or 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 and urged them to remain united.
The final results showed that five positions were contested, with Oyewole winning the chairmanship 18–16, Shuaibu defeating Armstrong Bakam of Arise Television 20–14 for Secretary, and Imam defeating Sahid Aiyinde Olaide of the News Agency of Nigeria 18–16 for Treasurer, while the Vice Chairman and Auditor positions were unopposed.