A faction of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Imo State has responded to a recent report ranking the state as the least safe for journalists in Nigeria, attributing the situation to actions by the state government and its officials.

The faction, led by Precious Nwadike, made the comments following the release of the CJID Openness Index, a subnational press freedom and civic space assessment carried out by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).

The report placed Imo State 37th out of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with a score of 40.70 per cent—ranking it lowest on the index. Bauchi followed with 42.69 per cent, while Lagos scored 48.93 per cent at 22nd place.

In a statement made on Monday, Mr Nwadike said the report only confirmed the fears long held by members of the press in the state.

“This score highlights the severe challenges journalists face in carrying out their constitutional duties, far below even Bauchi,” he said. “The ranking did not come as a surprise; it’s a grim validation of what Imo has become.”

He described the operating environment for journalists as one riddled with “orchestrated hazards and hardships,” and said that hostility, insecurity, and intimidation have become common features of the state’s media landscape.

Mr Nwadike linked the poor ranking to what he described as the “deliberate factionalisation of media bodies” in Imo, including the NUJ and the Correspondents’ Chapel. He accused the Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, of being responsible for dividing media groups, attempting to influence their leadership, and creating internal strife.

“Attempts to handpick union leadership and impose Correspondents’ Chapel heads point to a desperate desire to control and bridle the press,” he alleged.

He further claimed that the commissioner had blocked access to the governor and used police to harass journalists who refused to accept roles they deemed unethical.

“The CJID report serves as an international indictment of press freedom conditions in Imo State. It vindicates the persistent warnings from the Imo NUJ and vocal citizens who have faced intimidation,” Mr Nwadike said.

He called on the state government to take immediate steps to reverse the trend and protect journalists.
“Whatever be the case, hostility to journalists is hostility to truth, justice, and the fundamental rights of all Imo residents,” he stated. “This report further indicates that truth cannot be hidden and should serve as a call-out to all defenders of democracy: Imo State must end its war on journalism.”

When contacted for comment on Tuesday, Mr Emelumba dismissed the allegations and questioned the legitimacy of Mr Nwadike’s leadership, stating that only the NUJ national body could determine who led the state chapter.

“I only recognise those recognised by the national NUJ,” he said.

On the issue of factionalisation, Mr Emelumba explained that disagreements emerged in the Correspondents’ Chapel after its former chair allegedly sold a bus donated by Governor Hope Uzodinma.

He said the government later recovered the bus, and the chapel attempted to set up a caretaker committee—an action the national NUJ rejected.

“The NUJ national body said that since the chapel chairperson has resigned, they recognise the vice chairman to act as chairman pending another election. We handed over the recovered bus to the acting chairman,” he said.

Mr Emelumba did not address the claims that his office had restricted press access to the governor or used law enforcement to intimidate journalists.