The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council Council, has strongly condemned the assault on Mr Ndubuisi Orji, a correspondent for The Sun Newspaper, by one Emmanuel Okoronkwo, a staff member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The union demands an unreserved apology from the party within 48 hours or face the consequences.
The incident took place on Monday, January 5, 2025, at the PDP National Secretariat Wadata Plaza Wuse Zone 5 when the journalist was about to enter the press centre located within the secretariat.
In a statement signed by the Secretary of Council, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, and made available to journalists on Wednesday, the NUJ described the attack as irresponsible, uncivilised, unwarranted, and an affront to press freedom.
Recounting his experience, Ndubuisi said he was heading to the press centre when Okoronkwo violently prevented him from gaining access to the secretariat and assaulted him, insisting that it was an order from the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, that no journalists should be allowed into the secretariat.
“As I was heading to my car, Okoronkwo descended on me with a series of slaps and assaulted me until those private security guards rescued me from him. He even damaged my mobile phone. He also threatened to deal with me,” Ndubuisi said.
Though Senator Samuel Anyanwu denied giving such orders, saying the party was on holiday, he claimed that he had made efforts to invite the affected journalist to no avail.
“They reported the matter to the police. But I have told the journalist to come at his own time so that I will find out what the matter is all about.
“The party was on holiday; I was not there when he came. I was not part of it, and you are saying he said I gave the order. What type of order? Did I give him an order to beat him? Anyanwu stated.
The statement read, “This reckless, ignoble, and reprehensible behaviour of Okoronkwo towards Ndubuisi, a member of the press who also covers the party, is utterly absurd, ridiculous, and unacceptable and cannot be tolerated in a democratic society.
“Any form of assault on a journalist is an affront to the fundamental principles of press freedom and the right of citizens to access accurate and unbiased information.
“The press must remain free, unshackled, and empowered to fulfil its vital role in society. Regrettably, the opposition party entrusted with the responsibility of speaking against the excesses of the government and upholding democratic principles would resort to using excessive force and intimidation against journalists. Such actions not only undermine the integrity of the media but democratic principles that our society is built upon and threaten the safety of all journalists who strive to inform the public.
“We therefore call on the relevant authorities to take immediate action to investigate this incident thoroughly and hold the perpetrators accountable. We must protect journalists and ensure that they can perform their duties without fear of retribution.
“We stand in solidarity with our colleague and strongly demand an immediate public apology from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and those political thugs employed as staff, which must be published in two National dailies within 48 hours. We also demand the replacement of his mobile phone, which was damaged during the process, and failure to comply with these conditions will compel the union to seek redress to get justice for our member,” the statement added.
