The All Progressives Congress, APC, Ondo State chapter has dissociated itself from the attack on some journalists in Akure on Saturday by some hoodlums.
Also, one of the three senators representing the state in the National Assembly, Ajayi Boroffice, described the attack on journalists as condemnable, barbaric and unacceptable.
In a statement by its Director, Media and Publicity, Mr Steve Otaloro, the APC promised to help ensure bring the perpetrators to justice.
It said: \”We want to state categorically that we were busy at the venue of the state congress of our party conducted by the Hon. Matthew Omegara-led committee throughout Saturday.
\”The attack must have been carried out by some displaced political jobbers who have lost relevance both at the party level and government who are being sponsored by some godfathers outside the state desperate to feast on the state.
\”They carried out this attack on the day of our congress so as to give our party and party-led government bad name.
\”We can assure you they will not succeed as the good people of Ondo State know that this has nothing to do with us but the handiwork of those who are bent on tarnishing the image of our party and government.
\”We therefore call on the police to redouble their effort to bring all the perpetrators to justice.
\”We empathise with the leadership and members of the NUJ, especially those members caught up in the unfortunate attack by the hoodlums while performing their statutory duties.
\”It is clearly understood by some people that journalists constitute the fourth estate of the realm that avails the people the opportunity to know what is happening around them as well as being the voice of the masses. Unfortunately, these hoodlums and their masters have forgotten that newsmen give unbiased, balance reports of happenings in the society.
\”It is established that journalists played pivotal role in the enthronement of democratic governance in this country and a known fact that they are watchdogs of our democracy.
\”As custodians of the key to Nigeria’s last bastion of survival, the Fourth Estate by virtue of its modus operandi is supposed to be transparent and apolitical. However, human fallibility means that lapses in judgment will always occur. But a capitulation to the whims of buoyant patronage of contentious nature that could hit up the polity must be condemned in the strongest terms.
\”We, APC Ondo State, hereby assure the NUJ of our support to make sure the people behind this unfortunate incident are brought to justice.
\”Nevertheless, we are also seeking their continuous support as partners in progress in the Ondo State project with a view to ensuring accurate and unbiased reportage of events in the state for the overall development of the state.
\”We once again empathise with them and assure them of our support if required for the quick recovery of their injured members.
On his own, Ajayi, who represents Ondo North Senatorial District in the Senate, said the attack was unfortunate.
In a press statement issued on Sunday by his media aide, Kayode Fakuyi, he described the attack incident as condemnable, barbaric and unacceptable.
The statement said: \”Senator Boroffice wishes to condemn the brutal attack on member of the House of Representatives, representing Idanre/Ifedore federal constituency, Hon. Bamidele Baderinwa and other prominent politicians during the State Congress of the APC at BTO Hall in Akure on Saturday.
\”It is most unfortunate that the assailants of the politicians also attacked and maimed journalists who were on ground to cover the event. Sunkanmi Elujoba of Adaba FM, Damisi Ojo of The Nation, Bamigbola Gbolagunte of The Sun, Olumide Abudu of Radio Nigeria Positive FM, James Sowole, of Thisday and the chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists in the state were not spared from attacks.
\”I solidarise and sympathise with the leadership and members of Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) in Ondo State and the Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ in Ondo State in this moment of travail and tribulation.
\”The brutal attack on journalists indicates a brazen attack on the Press. The day of the attack remains a dark day. It also represents a major setback in the advancement of principles of freedom of the Press and safety of pressmen.
\”The NUJ is advised to liaise and work with concerned authorities to forestall recurrence of such unfortunate incident. Institutionalised measures should be put in place to protect members of the fourth estate of the realm at all times.
\”The Ondo State Police Command is urged to swiftly apprehend and prosecute the assailants of politicians and journalists. The task before the Police Command is quite easy because the assailants are known persons with known addresses. The Police Command is forewarned that any notion to look the other way or sweep the matter under the carpet will only embolden and encourage the political thugs to wreck more havoc and mayhem on the people of Ondo State ahead of the 2019 general election.
\”The senator extended wish of accelerated recovery to victims of the attack who are still lying critically ill in hospitals.\”
