The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, FCT Council Council, has denounced the assault on Mr Ndubuisi Orji, a council member, at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Secretariat in Abuja.
Orji, a correspondent for The Sun Newspaper, was allegedly beaten by Emmanuel Okoronkwo, a PDP staff member.
The incident was claimed to have happened on Monday, January 5, 2025, at the PDP National Secretariat Wadata Plaza Wuse Zone 5 Abuja, when the assaulted journalist was going to enter the press center housed within the secretariat to carry out his authorized duty.
In a statement issued by the council’s Secretary, Jide Oyekunle, the union requested an unreserved apology from the party within 48 hours and promised to take up the matter with the appropriate security authorities.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on Monday, January 5, 2025, at the PDP National Secretariat Wadata Plaza Wuse Zone 5, as the journalist was preparing to enter the secretariat’s press centre.
“The NUJ calls the attack reckless, uncivilised, unwarranted, and an affront to press freedom.
“Recounting his experience, Ndubuisi stated that he was on his way to the press center when Okoronkwo violently blocked him from entering the secretariat and assaulted him, claiming that it was an order from the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, that no journalists should be allowed in.
“As I was walking to my car, Okoronkwo attacked me with a succession of slaps till those private security guards rescued me from him.
“He even damaged my phone. “He also threatened to deal with me,” Ndubuisi stated.
Senator Samuel Anyanwu denied issuing such orders, claiming that the party was on vacation and that he had attempted to invite the impacted journalist but was unable.
According to him, “They reported the incident to the police.” But I’ve told the journalist to come on his own time so I can find out what’s going on.
“The party was on vacation; I was not present when he arrived. I was not a part of anything, and you claim he said I issued the order. Which type of order? Did I give him the command to beat him? Anyanwu stated.
The NUJ FCT Council, however, said that it saw the attack as reckless, ignoble, and reprehensible behaviour of Mr Okoronkwo towards Ndubuisi as absurd, ridiculous and unacceptable and cannot be tolerated in a democratic society.
“Any assault on a journalist violates the core values of press freedom and citizens’ right to truthful and fair information.
“The press must be free, unrestricted, and empowered in order to play its crucial 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.
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“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.
