ENUGU NUJ ELECTION: WE CONDEMN THREAT TO JOURNALISTS BY INDIVIDUALS MASQUERADING AS GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS: AN S.O.S TO NATIONAL LEADERSHIP OF NUJ
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It has come to our notice that some individuals exhibiting anti-democratic traits have been calling and threatening journalists in Enugu over the NUJ Enugu Council elections slated for Saturday March 8, 2025. It is on record Journalists in Enugu State have over the years maintained professional relationship with succeeding state governments. This trajectory did not change with the present government in the state as the cordial relationship has even grown stronger. Over the years, NUJ Enugu State Council has witnessed minimal interference in her elections by the state governments.
We are therefore, at a loss as to why this election will be different.
We appeal to security agencies, especially the Inspector General of Police to pay attention to the conduct of her personnel regarding the election. They should desist from being used by external forces to interfere, harass or scare journalists from performing their democratic rights of choosing who should lead them in the Council.
Journalists in the state know their members and should be allowed to exercise their franchise without threat or intimidation.
We want to re-assure the government that Journalists in the state, especially the NUJ leadership will not only remain neutral and professional but will continue to partner with government to drive the development of the state.
We also use this opportunity to call on the National and Zonal leaderships of our Union to watch closely the developments regarding the election and take necessary steps to forestall this ugly development.
Journalists are partners in progress and will remain so in the state.
On a final note, we call on our colleagues in the state to come out en masse to exercise their franchise by voting the leadership of their choice.
Aluta Contua! Victoria Asata!
E-signed
Rex Arum
Chieso Aninwagwa
Oliver Ossia
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, while he is presently on his M.Sc programme also in Mass Communication, at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is currently the NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
