It was tough and herculean scaling through the July 15 election of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Delta State Chapter. It was not really the winning, which was even landslide that mattered, it was the hurdles created in the way of Comrade Sonia Unobunjo, former Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council seen as the most qualified candidate for the position of state NAWOJ Chairman in the election.
It was obvious that the outgone NAWOJ Chairman, Comrade Patricia Gbemudu never wanted Sonia as a result of her strength of character, but instead, preferred and openly worked for a less qualified and cantankerous opponent.
The worst of the scenario was the NUJ Council Chairman, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu who was supposed to play the role of a father to all, but condescended so low pitching tent with the Anthonia Mowah’s candidacy over Unobunjo who stepped on toes against all odds and delivered him in his own election in 2020.
In what is generally perceived by teeming union members as serial betrayal and unrepentant ingratitude characteristic of Ikeogwu ,the controversial NUJ chairman was every where before and during the NAWOJ election campaigning against Sonia but he failed woefully . His candidate Mowah scored an abysmal 46 votes while Unobunjo coasted home to victory with 107 votes .
Ikeogwu in complicity with Gbemudu also conspired against Unobunjo at the NAWOJ National Secretariat, using dubious registration of members and various encumbrances to frustrate her, until the Commissioner for Information ,a seasoned Journalist, stepped in, intervened and peacefully resolved the major infraction which centred on the extension of registration for qualified members of NAWOJ.
In an interesting twist of fate, Unobunjo’s campaign and eventual victory were championed by those in the opposing group christened Prize Team during the heated NUJ 2020 election that brought Ikeogwu to office through a very slim margin.
The biggest joy as take away from the NAWOJ election is not only in the landslide victory of 107 against 46, but the overwhelming manner in which Comrade Sonia Unobunjo and her supporters from Prize team and others proved pundits like Gbemudu and Ikeogwu wrong and eventually emerged winner.
The shame is unthinkable because the NUJ Chairman who chested out for his alleged frolicking associate at the isolated press centre, had boasted of throwing a huge party for his candidate at the press centre and Shrine Club after she must have won. Unfortunately, they were disappointed as the members voted for the most accepted and responsible candidate.
