Dr Qasim Akinreti, the outgoing Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, says he never accused any member of staff of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) of fraudulent practices.
Akinreti, also declared that there was no iota of truth in the allegations making the round that he accused members of his outgoing executive of fighting him because he refused to share the N25 million building money with them.
He made the clarifications on Tuesday, while responding to questions during his campaign visit to the NAN Lagos Chapel of the NUJ.
According to him, journalists in the agency (NAN) have integrity and pedigree.
Mr Debo Oshundun, the Chairman, Lagos State chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), had demanded clarifications from Akinreti on the allegations of in fighting with his executive members over alleged non sharing of the said money.
Responding to the allegation, Akinreti simply said: “l did not say so”.
On the issue of substituting NAN nominee for the Ex-Officio position in the council’s executive, Akinreti also denied ever receiving name of any candidate from NAN for such position after his election in 2017.
However, Mr Moses Omorogieva, the Secretary of NAN Chapel, had accused Akinreti of substituted the name of NAN nominee as an ex-officio member with the name of somebody else from another chapter.
Commenting, Mr Tayo Ikujuni, a former Chairman of NAN NUJ chapel, corroborated the secretary’s allegation against Akinreti.
Ikujuni said, “Mr Chairman, l could remember that at the burial of one of my colleagues, you told me in the presence of Mrs Bola Akingbeyin and Mr Moses Omorogevia that you can not work with the NAN nominee for the ex-officio position.”
Denying the allegation, Akinreti appealed to NAN members of NUJ that there was need to continue friendship after the elections by all contestants.
He then called for issue-based campaign.
Raymond Tedunjaiye, an aspirant for the position of Secretary and Iyabo Wale-Eri, an aspirant for the position of Financial Secretary were on the campaign.
Meanwhile, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, a Deputy Editor-in-Chief with the News Agency, and also former President, Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), is contesting against Akinreti at the Sept. 29 Lagos NUJ Chairmanship position.
