Our reporter
The build-up to the December 4, 2024, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council election has taken a dramatic turn as allegations of certificate forgery cast a shadow over the process.
Four prominent candidates have been accused of presenting falsified academic credentials to secure eligibility, raising questions about the integrity of the election.
Uptown Press gathered that, the accused candidates include Grace Ike Zipporah of ADBN Media, a leading contender for the chairman position; Jide Oyekunle Adeyemi of Daily Independent; Edeh Sandra Ogechukwu of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN); and Ndambabo Yahaya of Voice of Nigeria (VON).
A petition filed on November 25, 2024, by three journalists—Johnchuks Onuanyim (New Telegraph), Victorson Agbenson (FRCN), and Emeka Eze (Blueprint newspaper)—alleges that the candidates submitted forged Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) certificates from the Abuja-based Institute of International Journalism (IIJ).
According to the petition, some of the accused are still completing their academic projects, making it impossible for them to have legitimately obtained their certificates.
The petition, addressed to the FCT Police Commissioner, outlines discrepancies in the dates of admission, examination, and certificate issuance. For instance, it alleges that Ms. Ike and Mr. Ndambabo wrote their final exams in October 2024 but submitted statements of results dated June and August 2024.
Similarly, Mr. Oyekunle’s certificate, purportedly from 2018, bears a 2023 issuance date, while Ms. Edeh’s certificate is controversially dated Sunday, August 31, 2008—a non-working day.
In response, the FCT Police Command confirmed receiving the petition and launched an investigation. Police spokesperson SP Josephine Adeh assured the public that the probe would be thorough and urged all parties to refrain from making inflammatory statements.
Meanwhile, the IIJ has defended the issuance of the certificates, insisting that the documents are genuine despite the highlighted discrepancies. The institution attributed the irregularities to administrative nuances and maintained that the candidates met the academic requirements for certification.
However, the petitioners have called for the suspension of the election, citing concerns over the legality of the credentials presented to the NUJ Credentials Committee. They argue that allowing the election to proceed under these circumstances could undermine the union’s credibility and lead to unrest among members.
The scandal has further polarised the NUJ FCT chapter, with supporters of the accused candidates dismissing the allegations as a smear campaign, while critics demand accountability and transparency.
As the investigation unfolds, stakeholders within the NUJ and the broader journalism community await the outcome with bated breath. The controversy has placed a spotlight on the integrity of the electoral process and the credibility of the IIJ’s certification protocols, raising broader questions about ethical standards in the profession.
With just days to the election, the NUJ FCT chapter finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with the challenge of restoring trust and ensuring a fair and transparent process for all members.
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