Members of the FCT National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) protested on Saturday over the decision to use the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) identification card as a means of accreditation in its election.

The members noted that various media organisations’ ID cards were previously used during elections; hence, the recent decision by the national body of NAWOJ was uncalled for.

Others said the new system would disenfranchise members, as most media practitioners had no national ID card but used their organisation’s means of identity to practice the profession.

Josephine Bitrus of the Correspondents Chapel and one of the delegate agents said: “The presidential committee chairman told us of the new development: the new directive from the National Secretariat of NAWOJ to use NUJ ID cards.

“We disagreed because it was not used during the NAWOJ National Delegate Conference.

“We agreed at the just concluded congress when the executives were dissolved to use office ID cards and dues as evidence of payment for accreditation.

“We are tired of double standards; let NAWOJians have their own minds; we don’t want to be manipulated; it is enough!” she said.

Similarly, Stella Okoh-Esene, former chairperson of the FCT chapter, said: “We all agreed at the just concluded congress this morning that dissolved the executives, but the Vice President of our zone, Chizoba Ogbeche, said we should use NUJ ID cards.

“We disagreed because many people applied and have not been given the cards and they want to disenfranchise some from voting,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dorcas John, the chairman of the FCT credential committee, while addressing members, said the directive was from the national president, NAWOJ, Aisha Bura.

“The National President said we should put this election on hold since we are not using the NUJ ID card,” she said.

(NAN)