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By Our Reporter

Comrade Churchill Oyowe has retained his position as Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, after defeating his challenger, Comrade Kenneth Obieh, in a keenly contested election held on Thursday.

Oyowe, who contested under the Power Consolidation Team, polled 235 votes against Obieh’s 218 votes to secure another three-year tenure at the helm of the union.

Despite Oyowe’s victory in the chairmanship contest, the Stand Up Team emerged the dominant force in the election, winning five positions against two secured by the Power Consolidation Team.

The outcome reflected a mixed verdict by journalists, who elected Oyowe to continue as chairman while giving the Stand Up Team control of key positions in the council’s executive.

The Stand Up Team recorded victories in the positions of Vice Chairman, Secretary and Assistant Secretary, in addition to securing the offices of Treasurer and Auditor unopposed.

Comrade Patrick Ochei emerged Vice Chairman after polling 241 votes to defeat Comrade Monday Osayande of the Power Consolidation Team, who scored 173 votes.

In the contest for Secretary, Comrade Felix Ekwu of the Stand Up Team polled 237 votes to defeat Comrade Pere Botu, who garnered 202 votes.

Comrade Josephine Omodior also consolidated the team’s gains, winning the Assistant Secretary position with 287 votes against Comrade Andy Emephia’s 188 votes.

The team had earlier secured the positions of Treasurer and Auditor unopposed, with Comrade Caroline Ubini and Comrade Michael Ilaya emerging winners, respectively.

Comrade Toju Oteri, who contested under the Power Consolidation Team, also emerged unopposed in his position, completing the distribution of executive offices between the two camps.

The results showed that although Oyowe successfully defended his chairmanship, the Stand Up Team secured a majority of the positions in the new executive, giving it considerable influence in the administration of the council over the next three years.

The election followed an intense campaign period that exposed divisions within the Delta State Council, with the rival camps presenting competing visions for the union’s leadership and administration.

The Stand Up Team had campaigned on improved leadership, accountability, transparency and a more inclusive union, while the Power Consolidation Team sought to sustain its hold on the council under Oyowe’s leadership.

The voting pattern suggests that members made separate choices for the chairmanship and other executive positions, rather than giving either camp a complete sweep of the leadership.

The emergence of candidates from both camps also presents the incoming executive with the challenge of building cohesion, strengthening professional solidarity and ensuring that internal political differences do not undermine the union’s core responsibilities.

With the election concluded, attention is expected to shift to how the new executive will address journalists’ welfare, promote professional standards, defend press freedom and improve the effective administration of the union.

The distribution of positions will also test the ability of the chairman and other elected officers to work collectively in the interest of members, irrespective of their political affiliations during the campaign.

For Oyowe, retaining the chairmanship provides an opportunity to consolidate his leadership, while the Stand Up Team’s numerical advantage in the executive places its elected members in a strong position to influence the council’s direction.

The ultimate test for the new leadership, however, will be whether the outcome translates into better representation, improved welfare and a more united NUJ Delta State Council.