An elder of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Enugu State Council, whose name was used to issue a statement accusing unnamed officials of the Enugu State government of threatening the lives of some journalists in Enugu and undue interference ahead of the botched election of the union in the state, Comrade Chieso Aninwagwa, has distanced herself from the statement, claiming her name was included as a signatory without her knowledge.
In a statement on Sunday, Lady Chieso Aninwagwa, denied any knowledge of the press statement, titled, ENUGU NUJ ELECTION: WE CONDEMN THREAT TO JOURNALISTS BY INDIVIDUALS MASQUERADING AS GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS: AN S.O.S TO NATIONAL LEADERSHIP OF NUJ, in which some individuals led by a former chairman of the union in the state, Rex Arum, reprimanded the state government and Its agents for purportedly calling and threatening journalists in Enugu over the botched NUJ Enugu Council elections slated for Saturday March 8, 2025.
However, Lady Chieso, a former leader of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), said she was embarrassed to find her name among the signatories after the statement was published on some online platforms.
Considering her level and contributions in the union, she stated that she would not accept anybody using her as a battle axe without her consent.
Her statement reads: “I’d like to issue a formal disclaimer regarding the recent press statement attributed to Rex Arum, myself, Oliver Ossia, elders in the NUJ Enugu State Council. My name was curiously but falsely included as a signatory to this statement, without my knowledge or consent.
“It’s clear that the individuals behind this statement are desperate to achieve their selfish goals, and they’re willing to drop people’s names without their permission to lend credibility to their selfish claims. This is a blatant disregard for the truth and a violation of personal integrity.
“In as much as all the Stakeholders signed in a Communique, requesting that the National Secretariat ensure that they work and direct according to the Constitution of NUJ as we also continue to give the unwavering support as our leaders, nobody told me about this release until I saw it published.
“I won’t accept anybody using me as a battle axe as if I’m foolish. I urge all NUJ members in Enugu State and the general public to be cautious of such tactics and to verify the authenticity of information before accepting it as true. I also call on the NUJ Enugu State Council to investigate this matter and take necessary actions to prevent such incidents in the future”.
