2023 Polls: Allow Journalists Carryout their Duties Freely, NUJ Tells Security Agents, Stakeholders
The Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has called on security agencies and other stakeholders during the November 11 Gubernatorial Election in Bayelsa State to allow journalists carryout their duties freely.
This is coming on the heels of most journalists in the state being unable to complete the INEC registration and accreditation formalities resulting in INEC inability to issue accreditation tags to most journalists in the state.
A statement signed by the State Council Chairman, Comrade Samuel Numonengi and Secretary, Comrade Ogio Ipigansi urged security agencies to allow journalists participate during the election with their office identity cards.
The statement says as a result of INEC’s inability to issue accreditation tags to most journalists in the state, the leadership of the union in the state and INEC has come to the understanding that journalists can carryout their duty during the election with their office identity cards.
The statement while enjoining residents of the state and indeed the electorates to ensue violence during and after the election called on politicians and community leaders not to harass or assault any journalist on duty in their domain.
The statement notes that henceforth the media will blacklist any person or community where journalists are harassed or assaulted and sued for understanding noting that journalists are friends of all and are their to carryout their duty as the watchdog of the society.
