The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has called on the security agencies to investigate alleged verbal attack on his member and the publisher of the South South Voice Newspaper, Mike Chibuoso Iwezor, by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon Blessing Amadi.
The Union, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Stanley Job Stanley and Secretary, Ike Wigodo, respectively, described the alleged verbal attack on Mr. Iwezor as an abuse of political office and unwarranted intimidation by Hon. Amadi to prevent Mr Iwezor from carrying out his constitutional obligation to inform and educate the public.
”Hon. Amadi who represents Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 2 in the Green Chambers of the National Assembly was alleged to have verbally assaulted Mr Iwezor, in a telephone conversation, and threatened to deal with him in a manner he will not like”.
The South South Voice Newspaper had reported in its last edition, with the headline: “Phagarians Reject Poor Representation”, that the two members of the House Representatives representing Port Harcourt constituencies, Hon. Blessing Amadi, and Hon. Manuchimso Umezuruike had failed in their duties to speak for their people or sponsor bills that would benefit their constituencies.
Rather than debunking the reports and set the records straight in a civilised manner required of an honourable member, Hon Blessing Amadi allegedly resorted to verbal attack on Mr Chibuoso Iwezor and also threatened his life.
”The Union frowned at this dishonourable attitude by Hon. Blessing Amadi, and called on the security agencies to investigate the verbal attack on Mr Iwezor.
“Hon. Blessing Amadi a close associate of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chief Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike should know that she is holding political office and that she is accountable to the people of her constituency and State.
“We want to educate Hon. Blessing Amadi that verbal attacks and threat to the lives of journalists who criticized her would not safe her but will rather worsen the situation.
“The publisher of the South South Voice Newspaper merely reminded Hon. Blessing Amadi of her duties to her constituency and the need to buckle up. If Hon. Blessing Amadi found the South South Voice Newspaper’s reports to be false, she has the right of reply and rebuttal, and not to resort to attack and intimidation of the newspaper’s publisher.
“We, therefore, condemn in very strong terms the alleged verbal attack on our member and warned politicians against unwarranted intimidation and harassment of journalists in the State”, the statement read.
