The suspension of three members of the Kwara State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) by the union's National Council has sparked a fresh crisis within the state council.

The affected members Adamu Usman Sabi, Mosunmola Ayobami and Dare Akogun were suspended at the NUJ National Council's NEC meeting held in Dutse, Jigawa State, on August 11, 2026.

The suspension was reportedly linked to their alleged involvement in a court case challenging the outcome of the controversial election that produced the current leadership of the Kwara State Council headed by Abdullateef Ahmed.

However, some members of the state council, who addressed journalists at a solidarity press conference in Ilorin on Wednesday, rejected the basis of the suspension and called for an independent investigation into the matter.

The aggrieved journalists described the suspension as a serious concern for members who believe in justice, fairness, due process and the protection of journalists' rights.

They stressed that their action was not intended to undermine the authority of the NUJ or deepen divisions within the union, but to demand adherence to the principles upon which the organisation was established.

According to them, the affected members were not given an opportunity to defend themselves before the disciplinary action was taken.

They also alleged that the circumstances surrounding the court case may have been presented to the National Council in a misleading manner.

In particular, they disputed the alleged portrayal of the three suspended members as those who instituted the legal action against the Kwara State Council.

The group maintained that, based on information available to them, the case was instituted by Fadeyi Babajide of the Federal Information Chapel and the late Saka Laaro of the Correspondents' Chapel, rather than the three suspended journalists.

They therefore called for an independent, impartial and transparent investigation to establish the facts before the suspension is allowed to stand.

The members also appealed to the national leadership of the NUJ to ensure that fair hearing and due process were observed in all disciplinary proceedings.

Beyond the suspension, they called on the NUJ National President to immediately suspend the Kwara State Council Chairman, Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed, pending an investigation into his alleged role in the circumstances surrounding the disciplinary action against the three members.

They argued that the chairman should not remain in office while allegations concerning his conduct were being investigated.

The aggrieved members said resolving the dispute through a transparent process would help restore peace, unity and confidence within the Kwara NUJ.

They further stressed that the union must uphold internally the same principles of justice, fairness, accountability and due process that it advocates for society.

"The NUJ cannot effectively preach justice, fairness, accountability and due process to society while allowing those same principles to be compromised within its own ranks," they said.

The journalists concluded with a call for unity and fairness, declaring: "An injury to one is an injury to all."