The Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) Edo State Council has taken steps to address the issue of the attack of its members at the venue of the collation and announcement of the results of the All Progressives Congress(APC) gubernatorial primaries last Saturday afternoon.
Acting on the directives of the union’s national leadership led by Chief Chris Isiguzo, the Edo State Council issued forth a seven day ultimatum to the APC to tender an unreserved apology for the sordid occurrence, pay medical bills of the affected journalists and replace their working tools damaged in the course of the riotous act or else face a media war in the days to come.
Chairman of the Council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, who read out the communique, stated that members have the right to carry out their legitimate duties without let or hindrance.
“APC, Edo State is expected to replace all the damaged equipment of Journalists that were covering the 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 over the attack where journalists were being manhandled, and their equipment destroyed, where Journalists were also prevented from carrying out their legitimate duty.
“This, Edo NUJ Council described as unacceptable and we condemn this act heavily.
“The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, should help fish out all those who were responsible for the attack and ensure that they are prosecuted because the report says that some of them are known as they never wore masks.
“We want to request very strongly that the management of the hotel where the incident happened(Lushville Hotel), 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 investigations.
“We want to also call on the management of the hotel to ensure that this footage will be used by us and also being given to the police where some of those who have carried out that act will be arrested and prosecuted.
“Lastly, we want to say that the Edo State election coming up in September 2024 is not a do-or-die. I therefore direct all journalists to cover the news.
“We want to say other parties that want to have their primaries should ensure adequate security in the various locations, the Police, DSS, NSCDC, and other security agencies should ensure the safety of all journalists.”
