NUJ Warns Politicians Against Attacking Journalists During Upcoming Elections

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has issued a stern warning to politicians in Ondo and Edo States, urging them to refrain from arbitrary attacks on journalists during the forthcoming elections.

This warning was issued through a communique at the end of the NUJ’s quarterly National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Ibadan from Thursday to Saturday.

The communique was drafted by Comrade Amos Etuk (Chairman, NUJ Akwa Ibom State Council), Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu (Chairman, NUJ Anambra State Council), Comrade Chiroma Ali Ibrahim (Secretary, NUJ Borno State Council), and Comrade Mary Replong Domtur (Secretary, NUJ Plateau State Council).

It was made available to media outlets by NUJ National Secretary, Achike Chude, on Sunday.

The NUJ also expressed concern over the rising cost of living in the country and called on the Federal Government to implement immediate measures to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians.

The union criticized the frequent vandalism of power installations that supply electricity to parts of the North East and other regions, urging the authorities to restore power promptly.

Additionally, the NUJ called on federal and state governments to address the poor state of roads across the country.

Key points from the communique include:

Media Safety During Elections
“NEC cautions politicians to refrain from attacking journalists on essential duties during the upcoming governorship elections in Ondo and Edo States.

NEC equally frowns at the incessant and arbitrary arrests and detention of journalists in the line of duty by security personnel and urges that such uncouth actions be stopped forthwith.”

Rising Insecurity
“NEC frowns at the lingering insecurity across the nation, especially kidnapping and violent crimes in the South East, insurgency in the North East, banditry in the North West, rising militancy in the South South, and cattle rustling and attacks on farmlands in the North Central by herders.

NEC calls on the heads of the nation’s security apparatus to rise to the occasion and address the situation.”

Economic Hardship
“NEC expresses dismay at the increasing cost of living conditions, particularly the prices of essential commodities, which are becoming unbearable for Nigerians.

NEC calls on the Federal Government to come up with immediate measures to ameliorate the suffering being faced by Nigerians and expresses concern at the delay in production at the Dangote Refinery, which would have eased the present economic hardship in the country.”

Power Supply Issues
“NEC frowns at the incessant vandalization of power installations supplying electricity to some states of the North East and other parts of the country, and therefore calls on the Transmission Company of Nigeria and Ministry of Power to immediately restore electricity supply to the affected states.”

Road Infrastructure
“NEC calls on federal and state governments to urgently intervene in the poor state of roads in the country and further calls on the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency to urgently proffer measures to ease the suffering of motorists.”

The NUJ also mandated the National Secretariat to overhaul and reorganize the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) by instituting a new Governing Council for optimal performance.