By Bashir Adefaka
The Chairman Lagos State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Dr. Qasim Akinreti, has reacted to allegations leveled against him by those who claim they have, in their majority, passed a vote of no confidence against him.
The chairman, in a letter addressed to the National President and copied the National Secretary in Abuja, and copy sent to The DEFENDER, said while all the allegations against him were figment of imaginations by those alleging, the issue of financial recklessness needs to be clarified.
He then explained: “Note there are three signatories to the acct of NUJ Lagos council and they all received alerts.
“They are Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.
“There is a voucher system for payments and collections of funds signed by the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.
“There is an approved budget for income and expenditures. Financial reports are read out at Congresses. Until The VP advised we should read financial Statement quarterly.
“The Financial Secretary has stalled this process as he is not always available to read the report. The treasurer most times does it for him. No queries were raised at meetings on the finances.
“The financial secretary is ineptitude he does not present his books at meetings and treasurer has always come to his rescue.
“Salaries of staff are transferred into their accounts by the bank.
“The financial secretary has failed woefully to present council financial statements in the last three years. At most SEC and congresses he does not attend. Members have accused him of ineptitude.
“Where do they get the financial recklessness from?” Dr. Akinreti asked and hit the root of the allegations.
“Odifa and his team are working towards crisis in Lagos. They will not succeed. Samples of vouchers will sent to the Abati secretariat today. Thanks for your understanding and support always,” he concluded the letter.
The DEFENDER reports questions are being asked why those making the allegations needed to wait for election time to raise their issues.
In the meantime, the Elders Committee of Union in Lagos Council have waded into the controversy and have summoned parties involved to a reconciliation meeting holding on Saturday July 4, while the state Congress earlier stated for that date postponed.
