Attack on Orji: Ologunagba dissociates party as PDP Press Corps petitions Damagum, Police, DSS, NUJ, Guild of Editors

…warns politicians not drag journalists into political differences
…NPS promises handling of matter in line with party’s code of conduct

By Tunde Opalana

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Press Corps has strongly condemned the recent assault on a member, Mr. Ndubuisi Orji, a Correspondent of The SUN Newspaper, by one Emmanuel Okoronkwo, a PDP staff attached to the office of the ousted National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

The Corps described the ugly incident occurred at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Monday as a grave violation of press freedom and a direct assault on the rights of journalists.

Chairman, PDP Press Corps, Mr Samuel Ogidan has earlier in a statement on Monday said, as essential members of a functional democracy, journalists owe the society an obligation to carry out their duties without fear of violence or any form of intimidation adding that the media plays a crucial role in holding leaders accountable and fostering public debate.

The Press Corps therefore on Tuesday petitioned the Acting National Chairman of PDP, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum and demanded among others requests that the party leadership conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault on Mr. Orji, including any involvement of Senator Anyanwu.

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The petition titled “Letter of Concern: Complaint on Journalist Safety and Petition for Justice in Assault on Ndubuisi Orji” signed by Ogidan was addressed to the Chairman through the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, and copies were forwarded to Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Department of State Security and Nigeria Police, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

In the petition, it was narrated how according to eyewitnesses, Okoronko assaulted Mr. Orji after the journalists followed the instructions of security personnel who blocked his entry to the National Secretariat.

“As Orji made his way to his vehicle parked outside the vicinity of the secretariat, Mr. Okoronkwo pounced on him with a series of slaps, followed by other forms of physical assault, damaging his phone and other working tools until private security guards attached to the secretariat rescued him.

“Mr Okoronkwo reportedly stated that journalists were to be prevented from entering the building, even through physical force if necessary. This suggests that the assault was carried out with the backing of the former National Secretary, raising serious concerns about the party’s stance on press freedom.

“What is even more troubling is the lack of response from the party or Senator Anyanwu within 24 hours of this unprovoked attack. The absence of any statement or condemnation from the party only reinforces the belief that Mr. Okoronkwo’s actions were sanctioned by his superior. This silence is deeply disturbing, as it suggests tacit approval of such violent conduct.

“This incident also brings to light the safety concerns for journalists working at the PDP National Secretariat. If a journalist can be assaulted so openly during the day, one must question what could happen during late-night hours when journalists are covering ongoing party activities. This creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, undermining the press’s ability to function independently and freely.

“In response to the attack and threat, we have formally reported the incident to the Wuse Division of the Nigeria Police Force, seeking accountability for those involved. We are deeply alarmed by the use of violence against a journalist and strongly urge the PDP leadership to take immediate and firm action. Such behavior should not be tolerated within the party, and the perpetrators must be held responsible”, the petition read in part.

The PDP Press Corps thereafter requested that the PDP leadership; “Conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault on Mr. Orji, including any involvement of Senator Anyanwu.

Explaining reasons for this demand, Ogidan said “In a fit of rage, Anyanwu’s aide threatened to “deal with” Mr. Orji boasting that nothing would happen because he was acting on the instructions of his principal who gave specific instructions that journalists should be barred from entering the building by any means possible including the use of physical force.

“This suggests that the assault may have been sanctioned by the former National Secretary, raising serious concerns about the party’s position on press freedom.

“We are to say the least alarmed when we reached out to Senator Anyanwu who confirmed that he gave instructions restricting movement into the Secretariat “because the party is on break”.

“This, to say the least, confirms our fears of the clear and present danger to our democratically guaranteed rights to keep Nigerians well informed about happenings around them.

“The right to information and the freedom to report are fundamental to ensuring transparency, accountability, and good governance in any democracy.

“This is even more so that the party has been embroiled in a leadership tussle with a court order confirming Anyanwu’s removal from office”

Other demands by the Press Corps were that the party should “take immediate disciplinary action against Mr. Okoronkwo and any others found responsible for participating in or inciting the attack.

“Reaffirm the party’s commitment to press freedom, ensuring journalists can carry out their duties without fear of violence or retaliation.

“Address this matter publicly, clarify the facts, and implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.”

The Press Corps expressed a strong belief that the party must take a clear and resolute stance against any form of violence or intimidation, particularly when such actions come from its members.

“Upholding transparency, accountability, and democracy requires a commitment to ensuring that journalists are able to do their work without fear.

“While political differences are natural in any human organization, journalists should not become victims of abuse of power by office holders.

“We await your prompt and decisive action on this matter to restore the integrity and principles of the PDP,” said Ogidan.

The party has however distanced itself from the perpetrator of the attack, Mr. Emmanuel Okoronkwo whose action was not authorized by the party or any of it’s official.

National Publicity Secretary, Hin. Debo Ologunagba who addressed members of the PDP Press Corps in his office at the party secretariat on Tuesday said Okoronkwo has no business at the party’s security post and was not instructed to bar anyone including journalists from gaining access to the premises despite the fact that the party secretariat has not officially been opened to activities in the new year.

Speaking in behalf of the leadership of the PDP, he said the party is “completely disassociates itself from such acts of violence and attack on members of the press and the institution of the media, which is critical to the activities of our party and the sustainability of democracy in our country.”

He said “the PDP, as a party committed to the rule of law and the democratic tenet of freedom of the press, transparency and openness”.

For clarity, he said whereas the PDP National Secretariat is closed, to allow us to participate in the U.S. activities with the families, it does not preclude anybody, any staff and particularly the press to have access to the secretariat to conduct their legitimate business.

Moreover, he said Mr. Emmanuel Okoronkwo is not promoted to the security department of the party and has no business whatsoever regarding the regulation of movements into the complex.

“He acted on his own in violation of the democratic and all-inclusive principles of which the PDP is known and outside the code of conduct guiding activity of staffs at the PDP national secretariat. .

“The PDP is reputed for its uncompromising stand in support and defense of the constitutional freedom of the press and cannot by any means or under any guise or directly whatsoever engage in or condone any act against legitimate freedom of the media.

“On behalf of the National Working Committee (NWC), I assure you that the issue will be handled in strict compliance with the party’s established code of conduct, guiding activities of staff at the PDP National Secretariat to serve as a deterrent against such condemnable acts, which has no place whatsoever in the character and comportment of the PDP as a party in this country.

“The PDP regrets the incidents and assures of its unalloyed respect for the press, commitment to the press, and the freedom of the press, particularly members of the PDP Press Corps, as we continue as partners in progress for accountability, property, and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria”.