A former National Officer of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), whose name was used to issue a statement accusing the Enugu State government of undue interference in the botched election of the union in the state, Comrade Chieso Aninwagwa, has distanced herself from the statement, claiming her name was included as a signatory without her knowledge.
In a statement on Sunday, Lady Chieso Aninwagwa, denied any knowledge of the press statement in which some purported elders led by a former chairman of the union in the state, Osy Ogboso, reprimanded the state governor, Dr. Peter Mbah and agents of the state government for redeploying the immediate past chairman of NUJ, Sam Udekwe, to the state’s Liaison Office at the nation’s capital, Abuja as the bureau chief of the Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS).
However, lady Chieso, who is a former leader of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists(NAWOJ), said she was embarrassed to have found her name as one of the signatories after the statement had been published in some online platforms.
According to her, considering her level and contributions in the union, she would not accept anybody using her as a battle axe without her consent.
Her statement reads: “I’d like to issue a formal disclaimer regarding the recent press statement attributed to the Elders and Stakeholders of the NUJ Enugu State Council. My name was falsely included as a signatory to this statement, without my knowledge or consent.
“It’s clear that the individuals behind this statement are desperate to achieve their selfish goals, and they’re willing to drop people’s names without their permission to lend credibility to their selfish claims. This is a blatant disregard for the truth and a violation of personal integrity.
“In as much as all the Stakeholders signed in a Communique, requesting that the National Secretariat ensure that they work and direct according to the Constitution of NUJ as we also continue to give the unwavering support as our leaders, nobody told me about this release until I saw it published.
“I won’t accept anybody using me as a battle axe as if I’m foolish.
“I urge all NUJ members in Enugu State and the general public to be cautious of such tactics and to verify the authenticity of information before accepting it as true. I also call on the NUJ Enugu State Council to investigate this matter and take necessary actions to prevent such incidents in the future,”.
