NUJ REFUTES REPORTS ON FINTIRI'S ENDORSEMENT FOR 2ND TERM

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Adamawa State Council has refuted news report making round that it has endorsed Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, for 2nd term.

The council clarified that the report that the NUJ had endorsed Fintiri is not true, and urged the general public to disregard the same as it was an error.

According to the council, NUJ as a professional union, apolitical and watchdog of the society is neutral in all its affairs, insisting that it does not take sides with any political party.

This is contained in a communique issued at the end of an emergency State Executive Council (SEC) meeting on Monday, and signed by the Chairman of the Communique Committee, Padio Phineas.

It said that the NUJ had observed that its revered neutral standing was drawn into partisanship during an endorsement of Governor Fintiri, by some groups in Adamawa state.

It added that ordinarily the NUJ should not have responded to a piece of news emanating from the event but for the sake of clarity and nothing else.

"While the NUJ holds no grudges against those who attempted to drag our non-partisan professional group into political partisanship, we however wish to state that by our constitutional mandate, we cannot be seen to be involved or taking sides with any political party, whatsoever". It further clarified.

"The public should therefore note that the event at Lelewal Motel hosted by the Institute for Governance and Leadership Studies in Africa (IGLSA) invited the NUJ as as critical stakeholder in the development of democracy and not as a group to add voice to its endorsement drive". It said.

It called on all political parties to carry out their voter drive with decorum and respect to the laws of the land, and prayed for a peaceful governorship and house of assembly elections.