Alleged Certificate Forgery Stalls Edo NUJ Election

The national secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists on Wednesday shelved election of officers to run the affairs of the Edo State Council of the union, following allegations of certificate forgery by some candidates contesting the election.

Investigations revealed that the Abuja office of the National secretariat of NUJ had received several petitions challenging the academic qualification of the chairmanship aspirants.

The development immediately sparked hot exchange of words  among members; as the decision did not go down well with some of them.

The aspirants are: Mr. Desmond Agbama of the State Broadcasting Service and the incumbent, Comrade Friday Obanor of the Nigerian Observer.

A statement to that effect was issued by the Assistant National Secretary 1 of the union, Mr. Gbemiga Bamidele.

“The National secretariat has received numerous allegations about fake academic qualifications tendered by some contestants for the election slated for today, August 8, 2010.

“The situation is so grave, hence the need for  proper and further scrutiny of these candidates,” the statement said.

In view of this development, Mr. Bamidele said the election would have to be postponed till 29 August, 2012 “in order to have a transparent transition and to avoid questionable leadership.”

By Jethro Ibileke/Benin