Boycott Rocks Kano NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel as Leadership Crisis Deepens Over Alleged Constitutional Breaches.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
Democracy Newsline Northern Bureau Chief
July 21, 2026.
What was intended to celebrate one year of leadership at the Kano State Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has instead brought the Chapel’s internal divisions into sharp focus, as many senior members boycotted the Chairman’s stewardship programme in what observers described as a powerful expression of dissatisfaction with the administration.
The conspicuous absence of several respected members of the Correspondents’ Chapel overshadowed the event, fueling concerns over growing discontent with the leadership style of Chairman Murtala Adewale. The aggrieved members accuse the Chairman of allegedly disregarding constitutional procedures, sidelining Congress—the union’s highest decision-making organ—and adopting a leadership approach they say has deepened divisions within the Chapel.
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For many members, the boycott was not merely an absence from a programme but a deliberate message that all is not well within one of Kano State’s most influential media bodies.
According to some of the journalists who stayed away, the stewardship event itself was unprecedented in the history of the Correspondents’ Chapel and lacked constitutional recognition.
“We deliberately stayed away because the event does not represent the values, traditions and democratic culture of our Chapel,” one senior member, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, told Democracy Newsline.
The source maintained that while leaders are entitled to account for their stewardship, such engagements should emerge through collective decisions of Congress rather than being organised unilaterally.
Beyond the stewardship event, members alleged that the administration has consistently taken major decisions without adequate consultation, leaving many journalists feeling excluded from the affairs of the Chapel.
According to the dissenting members, Congress—the constitutionally recognised supreme decision-making body of every NUJ Chapel—has allegedly remained largely inactive since the current executive assumed office.
“It has never been this bad for the union,” another aggrieved journalist lamented.
“We feel like we are in a prison because of poor leadership and total disregard for our Constitution and senior members. The Chapel has become sharply divided.”
The members further alleged that decisions affecting the welfare, direction and public image of the Chapel are increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few individuals, contrary to the democratic traditions upon which the union was founded.
Another member expressed concern over what he described as the absence of transparency and inclusiveness in the administration.
“Everything revolves around one person. We are neither consulted nor carried along. There is no transparency, no inclusiveness and no fairness in the administration of the Chapel,” the member alleged.
Among the issues generating controversy are claims that awards have been conferred on politicians without the approval of members or the endorsement of the NUJ National Secretariat.
According to the aggrieved members, such actions risk undermining the professional neutrality and credibility of the Correspondents’ Chapel, whose primary responsibility is to uphold ethical journalism and protect the integrity of the profession.
The members also questioned the frequency of Congress meetings under the current leadership.
They argued that the 2021 Constitution of the Nigeria Union of Journalists clearly recognises Congress as the supreme authority of every Chapel and provides for regular meetings where members collectively deliberate on policies, programmes and other matters affecting the union.
“The Constitution is unambiguous. Congress is where members collectively take decisions. You cannot sideline that process and still claim to be running a democratic union,” another senior member stated.
The crisis, according to observers within the media community, comes at a time when journalists are expected to demonstrate the same democratic principles, accountability and transparency that they advocate in public institutions.
Many members fear that unless urgent steps are taken to reconcile the aggrieved factions, the lingering dispute could further weaken unity within the Chapel and diminish its influence on professional and welfare issues affecting correspondents in Kano State.
The concerned members therefore appealed to the Kano State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists to intervene promptly in order to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
“We are not fighting personalities,” one of the members emphasized.
“We are defending the Constitution and the integrity of our union. The Council must act now to restore confidence, unity, due process and respect for the democratic principles upon which the NUJ was built.”
As of the time of filing this report, Chairman Murtala Adewale had not publicly responded to the allegations raised by the aggrieved members. His response will be reflected in subsequent reports if made available.
The unfolding developments have placed the Kano State Correspondents’ Chapel under intense scrutiny, with many stakeholders hoping that dialogue, adherence to constitutional provisions and collective leadership will prevail in resolving the crisis before it further impacts the cohesion and credibility of the union.
Democracy Newsline Newspaper contacted Chairman Murtala Adewale’s response to the allegations, can’t be reach his phone switched up, also sent text messages he did not respond.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JULY 21ST 2026)
