NUJ condemns attack on journalist at PDP Secretariat in Abuja

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, FCT Council Council, has condemned the assault on a member of the council, Mr Ndubuisi Orji, at the Secretariat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja.

Orji, who is a correspondent with The Sun Newspaper, was allegedly assaulted by one Emmanuel Okoronkwo, a member of staff of the PDP.

The incident was said to have occurred on Monday, January 5, 2025 at the PDP National Secretariat Wadata Plaza Wuse Zone 5 Abuja when the assaulted journalist was about to enter the press center located within the secretariat to carry out his lawful duty.

In a statement released by the Secretary of council, Jide Oyekunle, the union demanded an unreserved apology from the party within 48 hours and vowed to take up the matter with the relevant security authorities.

The statement reads, “The incident took place on Monday, January 5, 2025, at the PDP National Secretariat Wadata Plaza Wuse Zone 5 when the journalist was about to enter the press centre located within the secretariat.

“The NUJ describes the attack as irresponsible, uncivilised, unwarranted and an affront to press freedom.

“Recounting his experience, Ndubuisi said he was heading to the press centre when Okoronkwo violently prevented him from gaining access to the secretariat and assaulted him, insisting that it was an order from the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, that no journalists should be allowed into the secretariat.

“As I was heading to my car, Okoronkwo descended on me with a series of slaps and assaulted me until those private security guards rescued me from him.

“He even damaged my mobile phone. He also threatened to deal with me,” Ndubuisi said.

Senator Samuel Anyanwu denied giving such orders, saying the party was on holiday and claimed that he had made efforts to invite the affected journalist but to no avail.

According to him, “They reported the matter to the police. But I have told the journalist to come on his own time so that I will find out what the matter is all about.

“The party was on holiday; I was not there when he came. I was not part of it, and you are saying he said I gave the order. What type of order? Did I give him an order to beat him? Anyanwu stated.

The NUJ FCT Council, however, said that it saw the attack as reckless, ignoble, and reprehensible behaviour of Mr Okoronkwo towards Ndubuisi as absurd, ridiculous and unacceptable and cannot be tolerated in a democratic society.

“Any form of assault on a journalist is an affront to the fundamental principles of press freedom and the right of citizens to access accurate and unbiased information.

“The press must remain free, unshackled, and empowered to fulfil its vital role in society. Regrettably, the opposition party entrusted with the responsibility of speaking against the excesses of the government and upholding democratic principles would resort to using excessive force and intimidation against journalists.

“Such actions not only undermine the integrity of the media but democratic principles that our society is built upon and threaten the safety of all journalists who strive to inform the public.

“We therefore call on the relevant authorities to take immediate action to investigate this incident thoroughly and hold the perpetrators accountable.

“We must protect journalists and ensure that they can perform their duties without fear of retribution.”

“We stand in solidarity with our colleague and strongly demand an immediate public apology from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and those political thugs employed as staff, which must be published in two national dailies within 48 hours.

“We also demand the replacement of his mobile phone, which was damaged during the process, and failure to comply with these conditions will compel the union to seek redress to get justice for our member,” the statement added.

NUJ condemns attack on journalist at PDP Secretariat in Abuja

  • Related Posts

    EXCLUSIVE: Coup Plot: Nigerian Army Raids Abuja Residence Of Buhari’s Former Petroleum Minister, Timipre Sylva, Arrests Brother

    SAHARA REPORTERS Multiple security sources confirmed to SaharaReporters on Tuesday that the army raid occurred at Sylva’s home in the Maitama area of Abuja.  Some Nigerian Army personnel have raided the Abuja residence of a former governor and former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, in connection with an alleged coup plot currently under investigation by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), SaharaReporters can report.  Multiple security sources confirmed to SaharaReporters on Tuesday that the…

    Ex-Minister Timipre Sylva Confirms Military Raid On Abuja Residence, Denies Links To Alleged Coup, Says He’s In UK On Medical Vacation

    The statement further noted that Sylva is currently in the United Kingdom for medical reasons and is expected to attend a professional conference in Malaysia afterwards.   A former governor and former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr Timipre Sylva, has denied any link to an alleged coup plot, describing reports suggesting his involvement as “politically motivated.” In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Media and Public…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Business & Economy

    WhatsApp introduces passkey support for encrypted backups 

    WhatsApp introduces passkey support for encrypted backups 

    FG begins disbursement to 9,000 tertiary staff under TISSF scheme

    FG begins disbursement to 9,000 tertiary staff under TISSF scheme

    NLC demands increase in RSA withdrawal limit to 50%

    NLC demands increase in RSA withdrawal limit to 50%

    Katsina state targets N140 billion IGR annually by 2026

    Katsina state targets N140 billion IGR annually by 2026

    Zenith Bank reports 9M profit of N917 billion as gross earnings rise by 16.29% 

    Zenith Bank reports 9M profit of N917 billion as gross earnings rise by 16.29% 

    UBA reports N537.5 billion profit for 9M 2025, up 2.33%, interest income fuels growth 

    UBA reports N537.5 billion profit for 9M 2025, up 2.33%, interest income fuels growth 

    Fly Nigeria Act: Stakeholders Blame Government Officials for Non-implementation 

    Fly Nigeria Act: Stakeholders Blame Government Officials for Non-implementation 

    BUA Foods Declares  101% Increase in Profit After Tax  to N405.27bn 

    BUA Foods Declares  101% Increase in Profit After Tax  to N405.27bn 

    How Ètò, Electronic Barrier Systems, Salvaged Apapa Traffic Gridlock 

    How Ètò, Electronic Barrier Systems, Salvaged Apapa Traffic Gridlock 

    Aviation Fuel Marketers Identify Operational Setbacks 

    Aviation Fuel Marketers Identify Operational Setbacks 

    ‘Over 140,000 Passengers Travelled to UK through Abuja in 2024’

    ‘Over 140,000 Passengers Travelled to UK through Abuja in 2024’

    Keyamo: Government Has Responsibility to Protect Domestic Airlines

    Keyamo: Government Has Responsibility to Protect Domestic Airlines

    NCAA May Adopt ‘No Pay No Service’ for Airlines Next Year

    NCAA May Adopt ‘No Pay No Service’ for Airlines Next Year

    Experts Urge Africa to Deepen Policy Framework to Realise AfCFTA Full Potential

    Experts Urge Africa to Deepen Policy Framework to Realise AfCFTA Full Potential

    Sunbeth to Co-host Agriculture Summit Africa With Sterling Bank

    Sunbeth to Co-host Agriculture Summit Africa With Sterling Bank

    Terra Cube Hosts BBNaija Season 10 Housemates

    Terra Cube Hosts BBNaija Season 10 Housemates

    TotalEnergies Marketing posts N11.92bn loss as downstream pressure deepens

    TotalEnergies Marketing posts N11.92bn loss as downstream pressure deepens

    UACN reports pre-tax losses in Q3 2025, blames CHI acquisition cost

    UACN reports pre-tax losses in Q3 2025, blames CHI acquisition cost

    Custodian Investment reports N52.74 billion profit but misses forecast (2025 9 months)

    Custodian Investment reports N52.74 billion profit but misses forecast (2025 9 months)

    MTN Nigeria 9 Months profits hit N1.12 trillion, declares first dividend in two years 

    MTN Nigeria 9 Months profits hit N1.12 trillion, declares first dividend in two years 

    PenCom: NLC urges tougher penalties for pension defaulters

    PenCom: NLC urges tougher penalties for pension defaulters

    NNPC Limited seeks partnership to revamp struggling refineries

    NNPC Limited seeks partnership to revamp struggling refineries

    FG targets under-7-day cargo clearance at Nigerian ports by 2026 

    FG targets under-7-day cargo clearance at Nigerian ports by 2026 

    U.S. ends automatic extension of work permits for immigrants, effective Oct 30

    U.S. ends automatic extension of work permits for immigrants, effective Oct 30

    Sterling Bank reports N25.4 billion Q3 profit on higher interest income

    Sterling Bank reports N25.4 billion Q3 profit on higher interest income

    Wema Bank grows pre-tax to N146.44 billion in 9 months of 2025  

    Wema Bank grows pre-tax to N146.44 billion in 9 months of 2025  

    IATA: African airlines see 5.3% rise in international passenger demand in September  

    IATA: African airlines see 5.3% rise in international passenger demand in September  

    PenCom: Over 552,000 retirees now receive regular pensions 

    PenCom: Over 552,000 retirees now receive regular pensions 

    The new gold: How the non-oil export sector is changing the narrative of the Nigerian economy

    The new gold: How the non-oil export sector is changing the narrative of the Nigerian economy

    Tinubu approves 15% import duty on petrol, diesel

    Tinubu approves 15% import duty on petrol, diesel

    Redtech certified by FIRS as System Integrator and Access Point Provider for Nigeria’s National e-Invoicing Platform (MBS) 

    Redtech certified by FIRS as System Integrator and Access Point Provider for Nigeria’s National e-Invoicing Platform (MBS) 

    Northern Nigeria Flour Mills profit drops 69.3% to N552.7 million in 6 month 2025 

    Northern Nigeria Flour Mills profit drops 69.3% to N552.7 million in 6 month 2025 

    Oando Plc stages rebound with N165.2 billion Q3 profit surge, trims costs 

    Oando Plc stages rebound with N165.2 billion Q3 profit surge, trims costs 

    NIPOST partners Paystack, Sendbox to digitize parcel payment process 

    NIPOST partners Paystack, Sendbox to digitize parcel payment process 

    Top 5 Nigeria’s listed oil and gas companies by total assets as of June 2025 

    Top 5 Nigeria’s listed oil and gas companies by total assets as of June 2025 

    Prestige Assurance Plc records N316 million pre-tax profit in Q3 2025, as PAT doubles 

    Prestige Assurance Plc records N316 million pre-tax profit in Q3 2025, as PAT doubles