Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council, has elected a new set of officers that will steer the affairs of the union for the next three years.
In a keenly contested election held on Saturday at the Union’s press centre Azikoro road Ekeki Yenagoa was witnessed by over 300 members of the union, Comrade Tonye Yemoleigha of the Radio Bayelsa Chapel defeated his main contender and immediate past Secretary of State Council, Comr.Ogie Clement Ipigansi of Information Chapel. Tonye clinched 213 votes against his opponent’s who scored 206 votes to emerge as the chairman of the council.
Declaring the result of the election , the Zone F Vice Chairman, Mpaka Dokubo, said “having satisfied all the necessary requirements, Tonye Yemoleigha, is hereby declared the winner and thereby returned elected.”
Dr.Inebaraton Preye of the Niger Delta Television Chapel emerged the Vice Chairman with 238 votes against 181 votes scored by his opponent, Mr.Ebiowei Lawal of Federated Correspondents Chapel, while Mr.Stanley Imgbi of The Information Chapel Chapel was returned as the secretary for the second term having scored 236 votes to beat his main challenger, Mrs.Inaingo Tobin-West of New waves Chapel to a distant second of 181 votes.
The election also threw up three female officers including Mrs Tekinyo Theophilus of Information Chapel as Treasurer, Mrs Aqua Ansa Akpuruku of Royal FM as Assistant Secretary and Grace Iwolo of same Royal FM Chapel as Auditor.
Mrs Tekinyo Theophilus scored 211 votes to defeat her opponent , Mrs Ebinimi Zitimiyola of NTA Chapel , who scored 207 votes, while Mrs Aqua Ansa Akpuruku garnered the highest number of votes (244), beating her male rival, Mr.Abassa Solomon Tare of the light Chapel, who scored 174 votes to a distant second.
Grace Iwolo scored 218 votes to defeat her male opponent, Mr.Amgbare Ekaunkumo of United Correspondents Chapel, who secured 201 votes.
The position of the Financial Secretary went to Mr.Theophilus Agidee of Daar Communications Chapel, having polled 220 votes to beat his only contender Janet Twonmute of Niger Delta Television Chapel who scored 200 votes.
The newly elected chairman, Comr.Tonye Yemoleigha, in his acceptance speech, sued for the cooperation and support of every member of the union and promised to run an all inclusive and transparent government.
He said, “On behalf of the members who have just been elected as executive members of the NUJ Bayelsa State Council, I want expressed our profound gratitude to everyone on this day; the comportment, the orderliness despite the lapses that have brought us to this moment.
“In the course of our campaigns, we told you want we intend to do and we will not fail in doing that but before we get there, let me express my gratitude to Almighty God. This responsibility we have accepted and we are not going to fail you. The road will be turbulent, the road will be tough, but we assure you we are going to serve you. We need your cooperation, we need your steadfast support.”
Earlier, the Vice President, NUJ Zone F, Opaka Dokubo had described the election as free, fair and credible.
He commended journalists in the state for their large turnout and peaceful conduct throughout the voting process.
Daybreak News reports that the Delegates conference was conducted by a five-man Electoral Committee under the supervision of the Zone F Vice President, Upaka Dokubo, the Zone F Secretary, John Angesse and Bayelsa State chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Simon Barnabas.
