2015: Gombe NUJ Calls For Political Decency By Kalshingi H Jedidah
The Gombe State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists has called on all politicians to play politics with decency and desist from making inflammatory statements that are capable of inciting the public against each other and there by disrupting the peaceful coexistence of the people.
In a press release signed by the union’s chairman, Alhassan Yahaya, the state chapter of the NUJ expressed that, the use of offensive and inflammatory statements was increasingly becoming common among politicians, which it said was capable of hitting the polity and putting the future of the country in jeopardy.
Part of the release read “The Nigeria Union of Journalists Gombe has observed with utter dismay how disdainful utterances and vituperations from politicians are hitting up the polity, inciting party faithful against one another and putting the future of our dear country in jeopardy. The union therefore, calls on all stakeholders in the act of politicking to always toe the path of decency and play the game with decorum.”
Also according to the release, such inflammatory statements have deepened bitter rivalry among party followers and were responsible increasing political tensions that have given rise to a lot of violence in many parts of the country. The union however, called on its members to strictly adhere to professional standards of the union by ensuring accurate truthful and balanced reportage of events, particularly at this time of politicking, even as commending them for maintaining middle ground position in their reportage.
The union also expressed commitment to work hand in hand with all security operatives and other agencies particularly the Independent Electoral Commission INEC to ensure peaceful conduct of elections. It also called on the police to take necessary actions in ensuring security of lives and properties during and after elections.
