Alhaji Abdulgafar Alabelewe has emerged as the new chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kaduna State Council.
Abdulgafar polled 127 votes to defeat the incumbent, Asma’u Yawo Halilu, who received 81 votes in the election held on Monday at the NUJ secretariat in Kaduna.
The Secretary, Gambo Santos Sanga was re-elected for a second term having polled 133 votes to beat outgoing Council Treasurer, Nicholas Dereka, who received 73 votes.
In his post election speech, the chairman-elect said that the election had been won since the time his campaign was flagged off, considering the massive support they had received across all chapels.
He added that each ballot paper cast dur during the election was a call for change, fresh breath, transparency, and accountability.
Abdulgafar called on his opponent to maintain the spirit of sportsmanship and join hands with the new administration to move the Council forward.
“I am overwhelmed, and I must say thank you for the massive support I have received.
“The election has been won since we flagged off this campaign considering the massive support that we had received across the chapels, and I must say that each ballot paper that was thrown into the box today is a call for change and it’s a call for fresh breath and accountability.
“We have gone round and we have made promises and I want to assure members of the NUJ that the promises are not just mere political promises but blueprints that we are determined to implement and we will try our best because our manifestos are anchored on the tripod of accountability, inclusive leadership, capacity building and welfare for members and we will try as much as possible to deliver these promises.
“For my supporters, it’s time for celebration and jubilation but for me at the hem of affairs, it’s time for me to roll up my sleeves and go to action. I have to try as much as possible because I just have a few days to deliver on these promises and I pray that God will help me in delivering this tasking assignment that is before me.
“My call to my opponent and every other person who worked with her is that we are not enemies but members of NUJ and friends. The election and campaigns are over, so it’s time for us to come together and move the union forward,” Alabelewe said.