Hon. Nnolim Nnaji
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Council, has vehemently condemned what it regarded as “the shameful, undemocratic, and unacceptable conduct” purportedly displayed by the member representing Nkanu East and Nkanu West Federal Constituency in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Nnoli Nnaji, against journalists covering the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in the state.
Hon. Nnaji was said to have chased journalists away from the APC, Enugu Secretariat venue, where they had gone to cover the declaration of results of the House of Reps primary held at the weekend on the invitation of the state leadership of the party. In a statement, signed by Enugu State NUJ Chairman, Comrade Obinna Ogbuka, the NUJ described Nnaji’s said action as shocking and embarrassing.
“It is both shocking and embarrassing that a sitting federal lawmaker would allegedly harass, intimidate, and forcefully chase away journalists who were officially invited by the APC leadership to cover the exercise in line with their constitutional and professional responsibilities,” Ogbuka said in the statement on Sunday.
He added that the Council also finds disturbing reports that Nnaji allegedly “ordered some thugs to chase journalists away from the centre where the results of the primaries were to be announced, an action that further heightened tension and created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation around the electoral process.”
Ogbuka further said: “The NUJ views these actions as a direct assault on press freedom, democracy, and the fundamental rights of journalists to carry out their lawful duties without fear, harassment, or intimidation.
“The Council is particularly disturbed by the alleged threats made against journalists by Hon. Nnaji, including reports that he boasted that the APC no longer needs the support of journalists and the people of Enugu State to win elections. Such reckless and inflammatory statements expose a dangerous mindset that has no place in a democratic society and raise serious concerns about the transparency and credibility of activities surrounding the exercise.
“For a public office holder who swore to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to openly intimidate journalists and allegedly deploy thugs against media practitioners is disgraceful, condemnable, and a clear abuse of power”.
The Chairman, therefore, appealed to the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant security agencies to immediately investigate the incident and unravel the circumstances surrounding the harassment and obstruction of journalists at the venue.
He said: “The Council warns that any further harassment, intimidation, or attack on journalists in Enugu State will not be tolerated. The media remains a critical pillar of democracy, and no politician, regardless of status or influence, has the authority to suppress the press or threaten media practitioners.”
He assured practicing journalists that the State Council would stand firmly with them in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.
