Northern delegates to the May 24 to 27, 2012 Triennial National Delegates Conference of the Nigeria Union of Journalists have thrown their weight behind the candidature of Alhaji Waheed Odusile for the position of the Deputy National President of the union.
This is sequel to last Thursday’s endorsement of Odusile by the Taraba State chapter of the NUJ.
The week has been full of accolades and endorsements for the deputy presidential candidate, with Borno and Yobe States being the latest in the series.
On Saturday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, delegates, led by the council Chairman, Comrade Abba Kakami, spoke in unison, endorsing Odusile.
Kakami said: “I didn’t want to be categorical before. But now that the Chairman of the Correspondent Chapel has spoken, let me re-echo it and emphasise that Waheed Odusile is our candidate.
“We don’t know of any other candidate as far as Borno is concerned. We are for you.”
The situation was not different in Damaturu, Yobe State, where the Secretary of the council, Comrade Mike Abu, presided over the meeting.
The Yobe State Chairperson of the National Association of Women Journalists, Hajia Husna Ibrahim, did not mince words when she said: “Yobe has adopted Waheed Odusile.”
The Taraba State Council of the union had earlier on Thursday endorsed Odusile.
In an unprecedented manner, the council Chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Gambo, raised Odusile’s hand amid ovation from the state delegates and assured him of total support.
On Friday, it was the turn of Adamawa State, where the state delegates converged on Yola to give Odusile the go-ahead.
It has been accolades all the way for Odusile, who kicked off his campaign on Tuesday in the Northern part of the country.
The campaign team, which touched down in Makurdi, Benue State on Tuesday, has been moving from one state to the other preaching the gospel of ‘change’ and ‘service’ as cardinal points of its programme.
The six-man team, led by the Chairman of Lagos NUJ, Comrade Deji Elumoye, has on board the Director of Campaign Organisation, Alhaji Olalekan Osiade; the Financial Secretary of the Lagos council, Ayo Ilori; and a Media Consultant, Otunba Yomi Olomofe.
They arrived into the warm embrace of the Zone D conference of the union and were received by the Vice President of the zone, Joyce Bur Akuraga, assisted by zonal and council officials.
Receiving Odusile and his entourage, the Chairman and Secretary of Benue Council, expressed delight and appreciation to the visiting team for deeming it fit to accord respect on the zone, by making it the first port of call.
One after the other, the zonal officers and council officials present at the occasion appreciated Odusile for his perseverance and believe in the union.
They also attested to his track record and intimidating credentials, saying his achievements speak volume and as such, he is the man to beat in this election.
On Wednesday, the team left for Jos, the Plateau State capital.
On the Plateau, the story was not different as the state council, led by its Chairman, Kadapba Gobum, rolled out the drums to welcome the ‘leader’, as Odusile is fondly called.
Applauding Odusile’s endorsement by the Lagos Council, the Plateau State NUJ Secretary, Isaac Shobayo, said he is not surprised, having known Odusile for over 20 years.
The Vice President of Zone E, Alhaji Mukthar Gidado, who received the team in Bauchi, said it is heart-warming to know that odusile has transversed the length and breadth of the country while his opponents are ‘sleeping’.
In Gombe on Thursday, the campaign team was not only accepted, it was also reassured of a hundred percent vote from the state.
The Chairman of Gombe NUJ, Comrade Al-hassan Yahya, did not mince words when he reiterated the fact that Gombe and Lagos councils of the union have come a long way and has over 20 years of working relationship.
Members of the union in the state were unanimous when they echoed a speech from one of them, who had promised full support for the ambition of Odusile.
In the words of the state NUJ Secretary, Comrade Peter Mele: “Gombe is solidly behind Odusile and one of us has spoken our minds.”
The train later moved to Lafia in Nassarawa State, where Odusile also wooed the delegates.