Following the issuance of a revised Time table for the conduct of the forthcoming National Delegates Conference of the NUJ by the National Credentials Committee the Yusuf Idris Presidential Campaign Council finds it necessary to issue the following statement:
The Credentials Committee has directed for the commencement of campaigns by Friday, 17th September, 2021, in violation of a subsisting Exparte Order made by the National Industrial Court sitting in Lagos in the case filed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Ogun State Council in which the Court expressly restrained the Credentials Committee, the NUJ NEC and the outgoing President of the Union, Chris Isiguzo, from pursuing or executing any act for the purposes of conducting election into the National offices of the NUJ pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice filed before the Court. We have been briefed by our Legal Advisers that despite the expiration of 14 days since the issuance of that Order, it still subsists since the Motion on Notice could not be heard on the earlier set date.
Our position is in line with provisions of the Civil Procedure Rules of the National Industrial Court, 2017 as well as other relevant laws and judicial pronouncements in Nigeria.
In deference to this Interim Court Order under reference, our Campaign Council has decided to halt any process for the launch of our campaigns until when the Order is vacated. It should be noted that the decision to field Yusuf idris for President of our great Union stems from a desire to not only have a PRESIDENT WITH VERIFIABLE CREDENTIALS but also a National leadership that RESPECTS DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS, ESPECIALLY THE JUDICIARY, which is the last hope of the citizen.
We also note with dismay the reckless and irresponsible partisan actions of the National Credentials Committee in disqualifying some members of our team, including a sitting National Vice President, Edward Ogude and a former National Treasurer, Monic Okechukwu, on frivolous grounds. As Campaign Council let it be known that we are challenging that injustice.
Finally, we wish to appeal to our teeming supporters across the country to remain calm, resolute and focused assuring them that we will not rest on our oars until NUJ is rescued from the hands of people lacking in the affairs of honor. We have resolved not to play their game because the era of impunity is fast becoming extinct.
Dahiru Garba Muhammad
National Coordinator
Yusuf Idris Presidential Campaign Council
