*Urges political gladiators to adhere strictly to peace accord
*Gov Tasks journalists on fair, objective and unbiased news reportage
By; MKPUMA ENYINNA, Abakaliki
Ahead of 2023 gubernatorial elections, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council has applauded the leadership ingenuity of governor David Nweze Umahi of the state in the area of peace and security of lives and property.
The council used the opportunity to enjoin political gladiators to adhere strictly to the peace accord signed by candidates of various political parties and also charged journalists to be fair, unbiased and objective in their news reportage.
This was contained in a communique issued by the state Executive Committee (SEC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council after its meeting on March 12, 2023, at Dr Sam Egwu Press centre, Abakaliki.
The meeting which started around 1:00pm, was presided over by the state chairman of the council, Comrade Tony Nwizi.
The union after evaluating the developmental strides and relative peace witnessed in Ebonyi State, commended Governor Umahi for his commitment to ensure security across the state and therefore urged candidates of political parties to respect the peace accord signed before security agencies to avoid break down of law and order during and after the election.
“That SEC commends the Ebonyi State Government for its commitment in maintenance of peace and security across the State, amidst general insecurity in the country.
“That SEC urges political gladiators to adhere strictly to peace accord they signed before security agencies in the State ahead of the elections and shun actions and comments that could cause break down of law and order in any part of the State. SEC urges politicians in Ebonyi to note that we are one people and should not allow political interest or quest for political office to tear us apart,” it said.
They equally used the opportunity to call on INEC to brace-up to their responsibilities by ensuring free, fair and credible election during the forthcoming gubernatorial elections across the state.
“SEC notes with concerns the mixed reactions that greeted the just concluded Presidential and National Assembly elections and calls on INEC to brace-up by ensuring that the March 18, governorship and State House of Assembly elections are free, fair and credible in Ebonyi State and beyond.
On the controversies surrounding old and new naira note, the council said,“That SEC also notes with dismay the failure of the Federal government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to address the issue of naira scarcity in the country, despite the ruling of the Supreme Court which ordered that the old N200, N500 and N1000 notes should be allowed to circulate alongside the new naira note till December, 31, 2023. SEC therefore, calls on the CBN to release the old N200, N500 and N1000 notes in their custody back into circulation to ease the sufferings of the Nigerian populace.”
The meeting was well attended by members of SEC, and other principal officers of the union.
