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The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council, has withdrawn from the State Council and passed a vote of no confidence on the State Chairman, Comrade Bemdoo Ugber.
In a communiqué issued after an emergency congress held in Makurdi on May 27, 2026, the chapel accused Ugber of financial mismanagement, abuse of office, and conduct unbecoming of a union leader. The allegations include failure to account for ₦2 million reportedly generated from schools owned by the council, ₦3 million received from the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Wannune for the purchase of chairs, and the alleged diversion of ₦3.5 million out of ₦10 million donation (including a bus and palm trees) by Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The chapel also condemned the alleged commercialization of the NUJ bus, where journalists were reportedly compelled to pay ₦50,000 or more for access during official assignments, as well as factionalisation of the union and refusal to subject the council’s finances to audit.
As a result, the chapel directed all its members serving in various committees of the State Council to immediately withdraw from council activities pending further notice.
However, the Correspondents’ Chapel passed a vote of confidence in Governor Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, his Chief Press Secretary Sir Tersoo Kula, and other government media aides for their cordial relationship with journalists. They also dissociated themselves from the recent NUJ State Council communique that passed a vote of no confidence on the Chief Press Secretary.
This development marks a significant internal crisis within the Benue NUJ, highlighting deep divisions in the union.
