Paul Okojie

The Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has reacted to the attack on journalists during the governorship primaries held in the state. The Council gave a 7-day ultimatum to the Edo State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) to replace the working tools of Journalists damaged during the attack at the Lurshiville Hotel, GRA, Benin City, the venue that was announced for collation of results for the primary election of the party held on Saturday February 17, 2024 ahead of the September 22, 2024 governorship election in Edo state.

Speaking to Journalists, the State Chairman of the Union, Comrade Festus Alenkhe at a press conference held on Sunday, 18th February at the NUJ Press Centre in Benin City, urged the APC to offset the medical bills of Journalists who sustained various degrees of injuries during the attack, and also stress the need for the party to tender an unreserved apology to the council for what was considered an unprovoked attack.

Comrade Festus Alenkhe stated that failure to do this, the union has resolved to declare a media war against the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State.

Addressing the press conference, he said that “the APC should also write an undertaken that members of their party will be civil in relating with journalists who are carrying out their legitimate and constitutional duty.”

He condemned the attack on the journalists, describing it as inhumane, barbaric and insensitive to the tenants of our democratic society.

Comrade Festus Alenkhe, also urged the Police and other Security agencies to provide adequate security and protection for journalists in the course of performing their official duties. Alenkhe disclosed the readiness of journalists to work with whoever emerges the candidate of the party ahead of the September governorship election.

“The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State council converged on the directives of the national leadership, and we have resolved as follows, that the NUJ, Edo State council, is fully ready to declare a Media War against the All Progressives Congress (APC) if the following demands are not met.

“That APC, Edo State should replace all the damaged equipment of Journalists that were covering their event, on the 17 day of February 2024, pay medical bills of Journalists injured during the attack, apologize to the NUJ at both State and National level over the attack and manhandling of Journalists by hoodlums in the line of duty.

“The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, should assist in investigating and arresting those who were responsible for the attack and ensure that they are prosecuted because the report says that some of them are very known as they never wore masks.

“We want to request very strongly that the management of the hotel where the incident happened, should make available to us the CCTV footage of the incident and this should be made public and also help the police in doing their due diligence in the investigations.

“Lastly, we want to say that the Edo State election coming up in September 2024 is not a do-or-die and therefore all journalists is directed to cover the news.”