The attack on reporters covering the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primary in Edo State has prompted Comrade Festus Alenkhe, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Edo State Council, to issue a strong warning to the party. Journalists were hurt in the incident, which happened at the Lushville Hotel in Benin City, and their equipment was destroyed.
Comrade Alenkhe, acting on the directives of the Union’s National Leadership, demanded that the Edo APC issue an unequivocal apology to the NUJ, cover the medical expenses of the injured journalists, and replace their damaged equipment within a 7-day ultimatum. Failure to comply may result in a media war and possible blacklisting of the APC.
During a press conference in Benin City, Comrade Alenkhe emphasized the journalists’ legitimate right to cover electoral processes and condemned the APC’s actions as a “show of shame.” The NUJ communique highlighted the need for accountability, urging the Edo State Commissioner of Police to identify and prosecute those responsible for the attack.
In his words, “In accordance with the National Leadership’s instructions, the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Edo State Council convened and came to the following decisions:
“That in the event that the following conditions are not satisfied, the NUJ, Edo State Council, is prepared to launch a media war against the All Progressives Congress:
“APC, Edo State, is expected to replace all of the damaged equipment that journalists who were covering the event on February 17, 2024, had on hand; pay the medical bills of journalists hurt in the attack; and extend an apology to the national and state branches of the NUJ for the attack, in which journalists were physically assaulted and their equipment was destroyed, preventing them from performing their lawful duties.”
The statement went on, “We strongly denounced this act, which the Edo NUJ Council described as unacceptable.
According to the report, some of the attackers are known to have never worn masks, so the commissioner of police in Edo State should assist in identifying and prosecuting them all.
“We kindly request that the CCTV footage of the incident be made public and made available to us by the management of the Lushville Hotel. This will aid the police in their investigation.
“We also want to demand that the hotel management make sure that we have access to this footage and that it is provided to the police, who will use it to apprehend and prosecute some of the individuals who committed the act.
Finally, we would like to clarify that the September 2024 Edo State election is not a “do or die” event. For this reason, I order all journalists to report on the news.
“We would like to state that the Police, DSS, NSCDC, and other security agencies should ensure the safety of all journalists; other parties who wish to hold their primaries should also ensure adequate security in the various locations.”
Journalists, including Abraham Godwin of Arise Television, shared harrowing experiences of being assaulted in the presence of security personnel, with their equipment vandalized. The NUJ called for transparency, requesting access to CCTV footage from Lushville Hotel to aid investigations and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
The NUJ emphasized the need for journalists’ safety and urged all parties to provide sufficient security for media personnel covering political events as the September 2024 Edo State election approaches.
