Members of the FCT Minister’s Press Corps have elected new executives to steer the affairs of the body for another three years, with the incumbent chairman, Hudu Yakubu of the Voice of Nigeria, VON, securing a second term in office.
Yakubu, who contested the chairmanship position unopposed, polled the required 37 votes to emerge victorious at the election held on Friday.
The election, tagged FCT Minister’s Press Corps 2026 Election, followed weeks of activities which began with the sale of expression-of-interest forms, screening of aspirants, campaigns and manifesto presentations before members went to the polls.
A total of 11 candidates contested the eight available positions in the executive committee.
Declaring the results at the end of the exercise, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Usman Katun Umar, announced Yakubu as the winner of the chairmanship election after he secured the required majority.
In his remarks, Umar congratulated the newly elected executives and urged members to put the contest behind them, warning against bitterness, rancour and other actions capable of dividing the Corps.
“Elections, by their nature, can generate strong emotions and differing opinions. But now that the exercise has been concluded, I urge us all to eschew bitterness, rancour, triumphalism, unnecessary arguments and anything capable of creating division among us.
“No election victory should become a source of humiliation for another member, just as no defeat should be allowed to breed resentment. We are colleagues first, and whatever differences may have emerged during the contest, they should remain within the bounds of healthy competition.”
The Electoral Committee chairman also urged the successful candidates to be magnanimous in victory while encouraging those who lost to accept the outcome in good faith.
“I encourage those who have emerged victorious to be magnanimous in victory, while those who did not emerge successful should be gracious in accepting the outcome. The real victory should be the unity, professionalism and progress of the FCT Minister’s Press Corps.”
He further called on members to uphold the values of professionalism and unity expected of journalists, saying the Corps should move beyond the election and focus on its collective interests.
“Let us put the election behind us, extend a hand of fellowship to one another and work together for the collective interest of the Corps.”
In his acceptance speech, Yakubu commended the Electoral Committee for what he described as a credible electoral process, saying the committee had raised the standard for future elections of the Corps.
“The men and women of the committee distinguished themselves right from the commencement of the exercise, from the sale of forms, screening of candidates, campaign and manifesto presentations to the election proper.
“You have indeed raised the bar for future elections of the Press Corps and further demonstrated that integrity, fairness and professionalism remain the hallmark of our great Corps.”
The reelected chairman also commended members for their conduct throughout the electioneering period, saying their cooperation contributed to the success of the exercise.
Addressing the contestants, Yakubu said the outcome should not create divisions among members, stressing that the interest of the Press Corps should remain paramount.
“To all the candidates who contested, I want to assure us that there are no winners or losers in this election. The Press Corps has won. Irrespective of the positions we contested for, the interest of the Corps must remain our number one priority.”
Yakubu, who secured a second term, promised to build on the existing unity within the Corps and operate an open-door administration.
“Having given me the mandate to serve you for a second term as Chairman of the FCT Minister’s Press Corps, I assure you that we will build on the unity the Corps currently enjoys. We will operate an open-door policy where members’ views, suggestions and advice will be welcomed and considered in the best interest of the Corps.”
He further pledged his commitment to the welfare and progress of members, urging them to continue supporting the new administration.
The new executive committee comprises Hudu Yakubu, Chairman; Gbenga Omokhunu, Vice Chairman; Omeiza Ajayi, Secretary; Favour Ishember, Assistant Secretary; Wisdom Acka, Welfare/PRO; Sarah Negedu, Treasurer; Toyin Adebayo, Financial Secretary; and Abdullahi Mohammed Tanimu, Auditor.
The new executives are expected to be sworn in on August 31, 2026.
