A Disturbing Reality: NUJ Reacts, As Report Ranks Imo As Nigeria’s Most Dangerous State For Journalists

By Daniel Dafe

“A damning new report by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has officially ranked Imo State as the worst place in Nigeria for journalists to operate, confirming long-held fears about the perilous environment for press freedom in the state.”

This was contained in s statement on Sunday signed by Comrade Precious Nwadike, Chairman, Imo NUJ.

Recall that he CJID’s Openness Index Report, unveiled in Abuja last Thursday by Professor Victor Ayedun-Aluma of the University of Jos, placed Imo State last on the log – 37th out of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) – with an abysmal score of 40.70%.

According to the statement, “this score highlights the severe challenges journalists face in carrying out their constitutional duties, far below even Bauchi (35th, 42.69%) and Lagos (22nd, 48.93%).”

Imo NUJ said “the ranking did not come as a surprise,” saying “it’s a grim validation of what Imo has become.”

The statement said further: “Imo has become synonymous with hostility, insecurity, and danger for journalists and media professionals. This report paints a disturbing picture of tyranny and despotism silencing the press.

”The report correlates the state’s abysmal ranking with the deliberate factionalization of media bodies, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Correspondents’ Chapel, and NAWOJ, allegedly instigated by the government’s spokesperson and Commissioner for Information, Hon. Mbadiwe Emelumba.”

Meanwhile, the union said “attempts to handpick union leadership and impose Correspondents’ Chapel heads point to a desperate desire to control and bridle the press.”

Adding: “Specific accusations detail Emelumba’s alleged tactics: instigating strife among journalists, blocking media access to the Governor, and even attempting to use police intimidation against journalists refusing to comply with unethical roles. His alleged support for those who attempted the illegal sale of the multi-million Naira NUJ secretariat further demonstrates this pattern.

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“Whatever be the case, hostility to journalists is hostility to truth, justice, and the fundamental rights of all Imo residents. It is an assault on our shared humanity and public sensibility.

“Commissioner Emelumba’s actions, as detailed, are central to creating this environment of mistrust, fear and repression.

“In the main, the CJID report serves as an international indictment of press freedom conditions in Imo State. It vindicates the persistent warnings from the Imo NUJ and vocal citizens who have faced intimidation.”

Furthermore, Imo NUJ said: “The report further indicates that truth cannot be hidden and should serve as a call-out to all defenders of democracy: Imo State must end its war on journalism. We demand immediate, concrete steps from the state government to reverse this dangerous trend, guarantee journalist safety, uphold press freedom, and hold those responsible for this repression accountable.”