The Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) has been thrown into crisis after its virtual election on Wednesday, in which incumbent President Abdulrahman Aliagan was declared re-elected by 24 votes to 23.
Aggrieved members insist two unauthorised votes should be removed and Comrade Israel Bolaji (Bashorun) declared winner.
Scores of members have resigned in protest. Newly elected National Public Relations/Welfare Officer Kehinde Adeleye also resigned, rejecting the presidential result despite winning his own contest.
Adeleye said the election was compromised by multiple voting, claiming Aliagan and ally Oyewale Oyelola were allowed to vote through their media organisations, violating the Guild’s eight-year one-vote-per-media-house practice.
“This caused him to win with one vote. Members protested massively and called for the two votes to be cancelled and Comrade Israel Bolaji declared the winner,” he said.
Protesters argued that removing the two votes would give Bolaji the majority. Former National President Ayo Mojoyin was among those who resigned.
Bolaji rejected the outcome, calling the process “a joke taken too far”. He alleged Aliagan pressured the Lateef Owodunni-led Electoral Committee to permit multiple voting favouring himself and Oyelola.
“How can you win an election when half of the members have walked out and resigned over the conduct and outcome?” Bolaji asked.
He said complaints about multiple voting were ignored, and some members found the electronic process showed they voted when they had not.
The crisis has created uncertainty over the Guild’s future, with members demanding accountability, transparency and a review of the electoral process.
