Crisis Rocks Benue NUJ as Correspondent’s Chapel, Press Crew Pass Vote Of No Confidence  On Chairman

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, has passed a vote of no confidence on the State Chairman Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, over what it described as unruly behaviour and repeated public embarrassment of the union members.

The chapel equally accused the state Chairman of financial mismanagement, abuse of office, and constantly dragging the union into public disgrace.

This was contained in a communique issued by the chapel at the end of its emergency congress held in Makurdi.

The members accused Ugber, of diverting  union funds, commercialised the council bus, and turned the union into a platform for personal battles, alleging that over ₦5 million realised from NUJ-owned schools and the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Wannune, had not been properly accounted for.

The Chapel further claimed that out of the ₦10 million support fund, a bus, and palm trees donated to the union by Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia, the Chairman allegedly diverted ₦3.5 million without clear explanation.

The communiqué which was signed by the  drafting committee consist of Kajo Martin, Tor- Acka Vande and John Shaiaodo, condemned what it described as the “commercialisation” of the NUJ bus, alleging that journalists were forced to pay as much as ₦50,000 before being allowed access to the vehicle.

The communique read: “The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, at its Emergency Congress held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at the Correspondents’ Chapel Office, Makurdi, deliberated extensively on issues affecting the union and the conduct of the State Council leadership.

“Members condemned the conversion of the NUJ bus to commercial use by the Chairman, where journalists were reportedly required to pay Fifty Thousand Naira (₦50,000) or more before accessing the vehicle for use.

“The Chapel further accused the NUJ Chairman of factionalising the union by allegedly patronising non-members at the expense of genuine members and engaging in public altercations over financial matters, thereby bringing the image of the union into disrepute.

“The Chairman has  factionalised  the union by  empowering non-members while sidelining genuine journalists, and  publicly embarrassed the NUJ through repeated disputes over money”.

“The recent incident during the APC presidential primaries at the party secretariat where the Chairman  engaged some journalists physically and held them hostage behind closed doors for hours over financial disagreements is one of the instances.

“We acknowledged efforts of the State government towards the well being of of Journalism and therefore, passed a vote of confidence in Governor Alia,

his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, and the governor’s media handlers for their cordial relations with journalists and efforts to sanitise journalism practice in the state”.

The Chapel however distanced itself from the recent communiqué issued by the NUJ State Council, insisting that the outcome of that congress was manipulated by “non-professionals and hired individuals.”

It therefore directed members and all Correspondents’ Chapel representatives serving in the State Working Committee, State Executive Council, and other committees to immediately withdraw from all activities of the NUJ Benue State Council pending resolution of the issues raised

Meanwhile, the Government House Press Crew in Benue State has also dissociated itself from the vote of no confidence recently passed on the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Sir Tersoo Kula, by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council.

In a communiqué issued  and signed by the Chairman of the Government House Press Crew, Pius Iroja Angbo, the group described the move by the NUJ leadership under Comrade Bemdoo Ugber as a campaign of blackmail and intimidation targeted at the Chief Press Secretary.

The press crew accused the NUJ Chairman of allegedly using the union platform to settle personal scores and undermine the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia ahead of the state’s political season.

According to the statement, Tersoo Kula has conducted himself professionally since assuming office in May 2023, maintaining cordial relationships with journalists while promoting the activities and policies of the Alia administration.

The group further alleged that attempts to ridicule the CPS and damage his reputation would fail, insisting that the move only exposed what it described as a deliberate agenda by some individuals within the media to work against the current administration and its appointees.

The communiqué noted that rather than engaging in internal conflicts, the media should focus on developmental journalism by highlighting government reforms, infrastructure projects, and policies aimed at improving the lives of the people of Benue State.

The Government House Press Crew also commended Governor Alia for restoring peace within the NUJ and supporting a peaceful atmosphere that led to the emergence of the current union leadership.

Consequently, the group unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Governor Hyacinth Alia for what it described as people-oriented leadership, and also reaffirmed its support for Tersoo Kula, praising his efforts in

strengthening media relations and promoting responsible journalism in the state.

ÀaEfforts to get the reaction of the NUJ council chairman, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, proved abortive as he could not respond to text or calls as at the time of filing this report.