Aspirants fight dirty for 2014 Kogi NUJ Chair

Aspirants for the chairmanship position of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Kogi State Chapter have intensified campaigns for the election slated for the first quarter of 2014.

A local tabloid, National Bearer in its findings have revealed that the current Chairman of the state council, Comrade Ali Atabor and the Chairman of the Federated Chapel of the Union, Comrade Kola Toluhi are in the fore front of the race.

Already the duo has continued to hold nocturnal meetings with their supporters to outdo each other.

Sources have it that the issue of zoning arrangement which almost marred the council election in 2008 is already rearing its ugly head as the campaign intensifies.

The contention then was whether a zoning arrangement foisted on the council by one of the past national member of the union intervened in the matter and it was resolved that since the Igalas and the Okuns have taken their shot on the chairmanship slot, the Ebira Journalists should also be allowed to take their turn.

This was how Alhaji Ibrahim Amoka of Eni-Ebira extraction contested and won the chairmanship position in 2008.

Today the bone of contention is whether the zoning arrangement should be sustained or any incumbent who performed well can retain the chairmanship position.

It is this contention that has pitched the incumbent chairman, Ali Atabor and proponents of the retention of the zoning formula who are gunning for Comrade Toluhi.

Supporters of Comrade Atabor have argued that their aspirant have performed well in the last two and half years and must be return in 2014 to consolidate on his achievements.

Some members of the union have however continued to insist the inspite of Comrade Atabor’s performance the election should be open for all.

It is this group of Union members that strongly pushing for Comrade Toluhi to come on board come 2014.

National Bearer also has it on authority that some members of the union are already raising eyebrow on the manner members are been suspended in recent times a development they said is strange in the history of the union in the state.

Those who have been suspended for one alleged reasons or the other have alleged that they are victims of the politics of the 2014 election stating vehemently that “Ali Must Go” and “Toluhi must come”.

As at today, both aspirants have continued to intensify their nocturnal campaigns.

As at now, the political atmosphere is not too clear to determine which of the aspirant will carry the day in the coming months