The Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ Ekiti State Council has called on authorities of various security agencies participating in Saturday’s governorship election to provide adequate security for Journalists covering the exercise.
This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the chairman of the council, Comrade Rotimi Ojomoyela, and Secretary Comrade Kayode Babatuyi.
According to statistics by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over four hundred journalists from various media organizations across the country have been accredited to cover the election.
The NUJ leadership posited that journalists are critical stakeholders in the successful conduct of any election, hence they must be well protected and given necessary cover in the case of any violence.
Comrade Ojomoyela and Comrade Babatuyi said the union envisaged a peaceful and rancor-free election but it is important to request in the case of any unforeseen circumstance.
The Union leaders also appealed to security agents to give free access to journalists to perform their jobs and treat them with respect on the field as the union would not take lightly any case of harassment or assault of members.
While welcoming Journalists to the state and assuring them of necessary assistance, the union strictly warned quacks to steer clear as the Union’s task force would be on the ground to hand them over to security agents.
Journalists are also advised to respect security agents and not to be confrontational in their approach.
