By Daily Topic
The National leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has come down hard on the Kwara State Council Chairman, Abdulateef ‘Lanre Ahmed, for what it called gross violations of the union’s constitution, brazen abuse of power, and financial extortion of members.
In a letter dated July 25, 2025, and signed by NUJ National Secretary, Achike Chude, the union’s apex body accused the embattled Kwara Council boss of running the union like a dictatorship, imposing illegal levies, suspending members without due process, and flouting every known rule in the NUJ constitution.
The National Secretariat ordered the immediate reversal of a controversial ₦10,000 levy imposed on all members in Kwara, describing it as unconstitutional and an abuse of office. The NUJ national body also instructed the Kwara Council to refund all monies collected under this illegal directive.
“Council is strongly advised to reverse the ₦10,000 imposed levy on members forthwith, as it is a violation of the NUJ constitution. Council is also advised to refund any money already collected from members,” the national leadership ordered.
The scathing rebuke comes amid growing unrest within the Kwara NUJ, where Ahmed and his executive, re-elected under a cloud of legal controversy, are facing increasing resistance.
The flawed election on July 31, 2024, has been challenged in court, with allegations of electoral fraud, manipulation, voter suppression, and unconstitutional practices swirling around the poll.
One of the fiercest critics of the election, Dare Akogun of Sobi FM, had submitted a detailed petition accusing Ahmed of rigging the process by unilaterally constituting the credential committee, printing names on ballot papers, intimidating voters, and financially inducing select members.
“This was not an election; it was a sham designed to return a pre-selected candidate,” Akogun wrote in the August 2, 2024, petition to the NUJ.
In a shocking twist, Ahmed-led council retaliated by suspending Akogun, a move the national body has now nullified outright.
“The suspension of Mr. Dare Akogun by the Kwara Council is null and void. Neither chapels nor state councils possess such disciplinary authority under the NUJ constitution,” the National Secretariat wrote.
The council’s overreach didn’t stop there. It allegedly moved to delist entire chapels, enforce unconstitutional financial obligations, and even removed dissenting members from the council’s official WhatsApp group a move the national body described as dictatorial and anti-media freedom.
“The NUJ cannot be seen to be stifling voices of dissent, as journalism thrives on freedom of opinion. Council is strongly advised to restore the removed individuals to the platform without delay,” the letter said.
The controversy was sparked by a July 1, 2025, letter from the Kwara Council requesting the delisting of some chapels, enforcement of dues, and clarification on membership eligibility a request the National Secretariat found deeply troubling.
Chapters affected include Sobi FM and the Kwara State Information Chapel, both of which had petitioned the national body over what they termed sustained persecution and disenfranchisement by the current council leadership.
The National Secretariat emphasized that only it holds the constitutional power to delist chapels or determine their legitimacy not any state council.
Insiders within the union say Ahmed’s council has run the state chapter like a cabal, using power to settle scores, suppress critics, and extort money from members under the guise of raising money for the council. Several journalists who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that many were coerced into paying the ₦10,000 levy for fear of losing membership rights or benefit from food stuff sharing from gift received on behalf of members by the council.
The directive from the national body marks a turning point in a deepening leadership crisis that many believe could spell the end for Ahmed’s controversial tenure.
The NUJ National Secretariat has now ordered the Kwara Council to:
Immediately refund the illegal ₦10,000 levies
Restore all members removed from communication platforms
Cease any attempts to delist chapels
Adhere strictly to the union’s constitutional provisions on membership and discipline
With the 2024 election legal battle still at the Appeal Court, pressure continues to mount on the Ahmed-led executive, with union members vowing to resist any further attempt to hijack the state chapter.
“The NUJ is not a private estate. Kwara journalists will no longer be intimidated or silenced,” Akogun said in response to the national directive.
As it stands, the Kwara NUJ leadership is facing its biggest integrity test yet, with many calling for a caretaker committee to take over pending the outcome of legal and constitutional resolutions.
