GOCOP Elects new EXCO

In a historic shift from its tradition of consensus-based leadership selection, the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) on Wednesday conducted a competitive election that lasted over 90 minutes, culminating in the emergence of Danlami Nmodu, mni, publisher of Newsdiary Online, as its new President.

Nmodu triumphed over Segun Adeleye, publisher and CEO of World Stage Newsonline, who had declined appeals to step aside in favour of the North, in line with the Guild’s informal understanding of rotational leadership and regional balance.

Until now, the Guild’s presidency had always been held by individuals from Southern Nigeria. Despite its growing inclusivity over the past decade, the leadership had never been ceded to the North—making this election a significant milestone in promoting regional representation within GOCOP.

The majority of members rallied behind the call for regional equity, throwing their support behind Nmodu, who secured a landslide victory with 63 votes, compared to Adeleye’s 17.

Prior to the vote, both candidates addressed the General Assembly with brief, two-minute presentations outlining their manifestos. While the presidential race was hotly contested, consensus prevailed in the selection of candidates for six other key executive positions.

These positions, filled through affirmative votes, are as follows:

Deputy President: Olumide Iyanda (QEDNG)

General Secretary: Sufuyan Ojeifo (THE CONCLAVE)

Deputy General Secretary: Akeem Oyetunji (Prompt News)

Treasurer: Ngozi Onyeakusi (Supernews Online)

Financial Secretary: Moses Ebosele (City Business News Online)

Publicity Secretary: Kemi Yesufu (Frontline News Online)

The newly elected executive committee will serve a two-year term, with the possibility of a second term if re-elected through affirmative votes based on satisfactory performance.

Electoral Committee Chairman, Mr. Yusuf Ozi-Usman, gave a breakdown of the voting process. Of the 120 registered members as of October 8, 114 were deemed eligible to vote in accordance with the GOCOP constitution. Eighty members participated in the Annual General Congress, with 71 casting their votes physically and 9 voting electronically.

The final tally was:

Danlami Nmodu, mni: 63 votes (56 physical, 7 e-votes)

Segun Adeleye: 17 votes (15 physical, 2 e-votes)

The election outcome was officially endorsed by Mr. Ozi-Usman and the Committee Secretary, Victoria Ibanga.