…As Incumbent Chairman, Vice Slug It Out
Various social media platforms have literally been set on fire as intensive campaigns kick off ahead of the 2021 Elections into executive offices of the Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Incidentally the position of Chairman will be keenly contested between incumbent, Stanley Job Stanley and his closest rival and Vice Chairman, Mr. Paul Bazia Nsaneh. Another contestant for the Chairmanship position is Mr. Obed Omah.
Already, Mr. Stanley and his Vice, Paul have gotten the nod from the Victor Tew-led Credentials Committee to vie for the Rivers NUJ top post. But, not very lucky was Mr. Obed Omah A who failed the screening test due to his inability to meet up the statutory meeting attendance, according to the Credentials Committee.
Others who failed to scale the Committee’s hurdle are Walson Ibim Brother Asako (Vice Chairmanship), Obiandu Madume (Secretary) and Priscilla Okere (Treasurer) as the Credentials Committee adduced same reason of meeting attendance, for their failure.
In their respective social media handles, especially on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, the contestants have pasted posters bearing team members with beautifully crafted manifestos to woo prospective voters and delegates to the Triennial Delegates Conference in Port Harcourt where the election is billed to hold on the 5th August, 2021.
In the WhatsApp platform of the Rivers State NUJ, it was an intimidating posture for Stanley Job Stanley and his team. Like Stanley, Paul Bazia’s team has thrown up posters, individually and collectively to sell himself and team members to NUJ members.
But, members’ reaction has tilted favorably to the ‘Consolidation Team’, as Stanley’s campaign organization is known. A physical count carried out by this reporter showed 90 per cent complimentary comments to the Chairmanship candidate and his team.
However, since politicians believe that it is not over until it’s over, it may be too early to draw conclusions. Moreover, with the dynamics of politics, the Paul Bazia’s ship, ably piloted by the Chairman of The Tide Chapel, Mr. Amadi Akujobi, could evolve strategies to turn the table.
That is not to say that Alhaji Boye Salawu, the Director-General of Consolidation Team is taking the overwhelming popularity of his team for granted. The veteran strategist who steered the ship of the Consolidation Team two years ago to bring Stanley Job Stanley to victory, has declared his intention to repeat the same feat come election day.
