By Lucky Isibor
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council has given a 7-day ultimatum to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State to replace the working tools of Journalists damaged during an attack on them at the Lurshiville Hotel, GRA, Benin City, venue of the collation of results for Saturday February 17, 2024 parallel primaries of the party ahead of the September 22, 2024 governorship election in the state.
At a press conference held on Sunday at the union’s Press Centre in Benin City, the union leadership 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 union for what was considered unprovoked attacks.
Failure which, the union resolved to declare a media war against the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Chairman of the union, Comrade Festus Alenkhe who addressed the Press conference said 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.
He condemned the attack on the journalists, describing it as barbaric and insensitive in a democratic society.
While urging the Police and other security agencies to provide adequate security for journalists in the course of performing their official duties, Alenkhe disclosed the readiness of Journalists to work with whoever emerges the candidate of the party ahead of the September governorship election.
“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 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 17 day of February, 2024, pay medical bills of Journalists injured during the attack, apologize to the NUJ at both state and national over the attack where Journalists were being manhandled, and their equipment destroyed, where Journalists were also prevented from carrying out their legitimate duty.
“This, Edo NUJ council described as unacceptable and we condemned this act heavily.
“The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, should help fish out all those who were responsible for the attack and ensure that they are prosecuted because the report says that some of them are very known as they never wore masks
“We want to request very strongly that the management of the hotel where the incident happened, should make available to us the CCTV footage of the incident and this should be made public and also help the police in doing their investigations.
“We want to also call on the management of the hotel to ensure that this footage will be used by us and also being given to the police where some of those who have carried out that act will be arrested and prosecuted.
“Lastly, we want to say that the Edo State election coming up
In September 2024 is not a do-or-die . I therefore direct all journalists to cover the news.