The Kaduna State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has warned the state’s governor-elect, Senator Uba Sani, that no harm must befall any of its members, following a petition by Vanguard Correspondent Hassan Wuyo, who alleged a threat to his life.
In a statement by the NUJ Secretary, Gambo Sanga, the union urged its members to carry out their duties without fear.
Wuyo, in his petition to security agencies, claimed that he was threatened, psychologically depressed, and emotionally unbalanced after a verbal attack by Sani.
Wuyo’s petition, titled “My sad encounter with the governor-elect,” describes how he was invited to cover a press conference by Uba Sani on March 26, 2023, only to be subjected to anger and threats. He stated that the event turned out to be a meeting between the governor-elect and other political parties’ gubernatorial candidates, pastors, and on-air personalities in support of Sani’s political ideals.
Wuyo said that when he informed Sani he was a correspondent for Vanguard, the governor-elect’s demeanor changed, and he accused Wuyo of publishing reports against his political interests.
The NUJ demanded an unreserved apology to the union and its state chairman for the alleged malicious allegations, humiliation, embarrassment, and perceived threats to Wuyo’s life.
The union’s statement emphasised the importance of journalists’ safety in carrying out their responsibilities without fear.
The journalists union wrote, “At the supposed media briefing, the governor-elect allegedly accused Wuyo of carrying negative stories against him and also that the chairman of the NUJ in Kaduna worked against his political interest during the recent gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections, despite his donation of a vehicle to the NUJ last year.”
