Attack on Kaduna Journalists: an Assault on Nigeria Society – PDP Chair
By Alex Uangbaoje, Kaduna
Kaduna state chairman of People Democratic Party (PDP), and former minister of aviation, Hassan Hyet on Tuesday, described the attack on the Kaduna State Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists as an assault not only to journalism professiona but on the entire society.
Hyet, who was worried about the I’ll treatment of Journalists in the state, when he paid a solidarity visit to the NUJ council said, “politicians must learn the act of tolerance and accommodation.
“It is unfortunate that instead of people to organize and be calm in countering and presenting thier own side , they resulted to using their fist to cause distruction and unfortunately injuring some of the journalists in the cause of observing their legal duty.
“Knowing the role of press , we felt that it was an affront and insult , not to you alone , but the generality of the society , because no society can exist without information. and whether the information is positive or negative to who ever is listening , the truth is that people must be allowed to express their grievances.
“But we don’t take cutlasses and start chasing another members because we disagreed with their opinion. We prefare asking one another to to rejig ideas and discuss how society can move forward.
“If we see the ruling party , witnessing this kind of situation, then we that at opposition parties will start wondering as to what will be our faith when the time for local governments election comes.
“Therefore, I plead with the authorities and especially the security agencies to ensure that they handle issues of security and vandalization , intolerance with zeal it requires.
“They should handle their work without fair or favor to any person or individuals since they are answerable to the constitutions and laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Responding to the visitor, the chairman of the council, Comrade Yusuf Adamu, expressed gratitude over the concerns by PDP leadership, explaining that the Sunday disaster is first of it kind in the history of Kaduna NUJ, adding that NUJ is not a political party and will never be.
“NUJ shall continue to remain the voice of the ordinary man , and shall continue to stand by the people to air their view in line with the core value of journalism profession.” He added.
He however advised politicians to refrain from using youth as a political thugs and hoodlums , rather than using them for peaceful coexistence and the development of the nation.
