The Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), on Sunday issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Edo State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) to replace the working tools of Journalists damaged during an attack on them at the venue of the collation centre of results for Saturday February 17, 2024 primary of the party.
Edo State Chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, at a press briefing also urged the APC to offset the medical bills of journalists who sustained injuries during the attack and also tender an unreserved apology to the council over the unprovoked attacks, failing which, the union resolved to declare a media war against the APC.
He requested that the APC should also write an undertaken that members of the party will be civil while relating with journalists who are doing their legitimate duty.
While condemning the attack, Alenkhe described it as barbaric and insensitive in a democratic society, calling on the police and other security agencies to provide adequate security for journalists in the course of performing their official duties.
“The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State council met on the directives of the national leadership and we have resolved as follows, that the NUJ, Edo State council, is fully ready to declare a media war against the All Progressives Congress (APC) if the following things are not meant.
“That APC, Edo State is expected to replace all the damaged equipment of Journalists that were covering the event, on the 17th day of February, 2024.
“Also pay medical bills of Journalists injured during the attack and apologize to the NUJ at both state and national over the attack where Journalists were being manhandled, and their equipment destroyed. And where Journalists were also prevented from carrying out their legitimate duty. Edo NUJ council described as unacceptable and we condemned this act heavily.”
