Rivers NUJ Seeks Protection Of Journalists At Polls 

As the general elections draw nearer, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on stakeholders such as security agencies and political parties to ensure the safety of journalists.
Rivers State Chairman of the NUJ, Stanley Job Stanley made the call when Governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the state, Isaac Wonwu led other candidates of the party on a courtesy call on him at the union’ s Secretariat in Port Harcourt, recently.
He commended Wonwu on his programme and vision for the state and urged him and other politicians to go about their campaigns peacefully, even as he stressed the need for them to see journalists as stakeholders in the Nigerian project.
He further said, “”All we want in Rivers State is development and commend you on your programmes and I wish you well as you go about your campaigns.
“We (NUJ) are concerned about the safety of journalists during elections. In the past we have witnessed violence in the South-South especially in Rivers State.
“When it happens our people who are always at the forefront because as journalists we do not have choice but to be at the arena because we need to report what is happening.
“But most times we are affected by violence associated with elections. I am using this opportunity to appeal to politicians, political parties to go about their campaigns peaceful see journalists as partners in progress.
“If journalists decided to stay back or remain at home because of fear of what might happen to them in the course of covering elections do you think anybody would know what transpired or the outcome of the elections?
“So I want all stakeholders to ensure that journalists are given adequate protection. I also want to call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide a level playing ground for all the political parties.
“Because that is one way that violence can take place. If you are seen to be taking sides, the other party may not have the patience to overlook what is happening.
“They will say no we must ensure that justice is done. At other times people decide to take laws into their hands and that will lead to crisis,” Stanley explained.
He however, assured that the NUJ will partner with all those that knock on its doors and addition to ensuring that democracy thrives in Nigeria; saying, “We will remain professional and unbias in the discharge of our duties.

Dennis Naku