NUJ FCT Council condemns attack on journalist at PDP Secretariat
…as Fix Nigeria demands IGP to investigate, prosecute Okoronkwo
By Tunde Opalana
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council Council, has strongly condemned the assault on a member of the council, Mr. Ndubuisi Orji, at the national secretariat if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday.
Mr. Orji, who is a correspondent with THE SUN Newspaper, was assaulted by one Emmanuel Okoronkwo, a member of staff of the party.
In a statement released by the secretary of council, Jide Oyekunle, the union demands an unreserved apology from the party within 48 hours and has vowed to take up the matter with the relevant security authorities.
The statement reads, “The incident took place on Monday, January 5, 2025, at the PDP National Secretariat Wadata Plaza Wuse Zone 5 when the journalist was about to enter the press centre located within the secretariat.”
“The NUJ describes the attack as irresponsible, uncivilised, unwarranted, and an affront to press freedom.”
“Recounting his experience, Ndubuisi said he was heading to the press centre when Okoronkwo violently prevented him from gaining access to the secretariat and assaulted him, insisting that it was an order from the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, that no journalists should be allowed into the secretariat.”
“As I was heading to my car, Okoronkwo descended on me with a series of slaps and assaulted me until those private security guards rescued me from him. He even damaged my mobile phone. He also threatened to deal with me,” Ndubuisi said.
Senator Samuel Anyanwu denied giving such orders, saying the party was on holiday and claimed that he had made efforts to invite the affected journalist but to no avail.
According to him, “They reported the matter to the police. But I have told the journalist to come on his own time so that I will find out what the matter is all about.”
“The party was on holiday; I was not there when he came. I was not part of it, and you are saying he said I gave the order. What type of order? Did I give him an order to beat him? Anyanwu stated.
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The NUJ FCT Council, however, sees this reckless, ignoble, and reprehensible behaviour of Mr. Okoronkwo towards Ndubuisi as absurd, ridiculous, and unacceptable and cannot be tolerated in a democratic society.
“Any form of assault on a journalist is an affront to the fundamental principles of press freedom and the right of citizens to access accurate and unbiased information.
“The press must remain free, unshackled, and empowered to fulfil its vital 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.
“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.
This is as a group known as Fix Nigeria urged the Inspector General of Police to investigate and invite Mr. Emma Okoronkwo, aide to former National Secretary of PDP Senator Sam Anyanwu, and one Frank Edede, over an alleged plot to attack PDP National Publicity Secretary and other national working committee members on the instructions of a high ranking NWC member of the party PDP
According to Alaghi Aminu Gambo, a Niger State member of the Fix PDP Fix Nigeria group, the planning of the meeting took place yesterday in an office in Wuye, Abuja associated to a member of the party. Gambo also revealed that the PDP Press Corps has already issued a petition to the police regarding the assault on their colleague from The Sun Newspaper by the same Mr.Emma Okoronkwo.
The group is calling on the police and other security agencies to provide adequate protection high-ranking NWC members as follows national treasurer. , national financial secretary. National woman leader . deputy national chairman south. New national secretary. Zonal vice chairmen. National legal adviser. who believe in the rule of law, the PDP constitution and the Nigerian constitution. This protection is necessary to prevent any harm or intimidation that may arise from the alleged plot.
“We urge the police to take immediate action to investigate this matter and ensure the safety of our national officers,” said Gambo. “We will not tolerate any form of violence or intimidation within our party, and we expect the police to take our complaint seriously.”
The Fix PDP Fix Nigeria group is committed to promoting the values of democracy, transparency, and accountability within the PDP. We believe that our national officers have the right to carry out their duties without fear of intimidation or harm.
