Rising from a meeting held on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Chapel Secretariat, the EXCO passed a vote of no confidence in the State Council Chairman, Churchill Oyowe, citing his inability to guarantee a free, fair, and credible electoral process.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the committee reaffirmed the validity of the existing compendium produced during the leadership of Mike Ikeogwu, insisting that it remains the legitimate document guiding the chapel’s electoral process.
The EXCO also condemned the disqualification of Mrs. Lucy Ezeliora, an Auditorial contestant, and Mrs. Christy Aboghe, a Financial Secretary aspirant, describing the action as inconsistent and unjust. It noted that both candidates were disqualified on the basis of being staff of The Pointer Newspaper, while Mr. Kent Enweliku, a staff member of The Sun Newspaper, has not faced similar restrictions over the years.
Further questioning the decision, the EXCO pointed to what it described as a double standard, highlighting that Mrs. Ivonne Soware, Chairman of Fresh Angle Chapel and a staff of the Delta State Government, has been allowed to participate under similar conditions.
The committee maintained that it is unconstitutional for the Council Chairman to unilaterally and indefinitely postpone the election without issuing a formal communication through the Credentials Committee.
Consequently, the EXCO directed the Electoral Committee (ELECO) to fix a new date for the election within the week and formally communicate same to the State Council, copying the State Acting Secretary and the National Ex-Officio to ensure transparency.
The committee also frowned at what it described as a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise nine financial members of the chapel, noting that the affected individuals have previously held elective positions and remain active contributors to the union.
While reaffirming its loyalty to the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists under Alhassan Yahaya, the EXCO called on the national body to intervene and ensure justice in the matter.
The communique was jointly signed by the ICC Chairman, Kenneth Orusi; Vice Chairman, Comrade Godwin Utuedoye; Secretary, Comrade Mike Odiah; Treasurer, Comrade Mrs. Christy Aboghe; and Auditor, Comrade Mrs. Lucy Ezeliora.