2019 Polls: Rivers NUJ chairman cautions against electoral violence

MR Stanley Job, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers Council, on Monday cautioned politicians against electoral violence in the 2019 general elections in the state.

Job told newsmen in Port Harcourt that peace and a level playing field were crucial in achieving credible elections in 2019.

The NUJ chairman called on political parties in the state to play by the rules and avoid indulging in activities that could cause violence and panic.

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He called on the youth to avoid being used by politicians to cause problems during the elections, no matter how highly placed such politician could be.

Job said the NUJ would come all out to resist any form of violence against its members in the course of reportage during the polls.

“In the past, we have witnessed how journalists were harassed and oppressed in the field while gathering information for public consumption.

“It is worrisome that journalists are made targets of attacks during elections; we cannot allow this to continue.

“We are all supposed to be stakeholders in the electoral process, we all need to play our roles to ensure the success of the elections,’’ the NUJ chairman said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that violence has remained a major issue being raised by stakeholders ahead of the 2019 polls, with analysts emphasising that violence-free environment is important to make the results of the poll credible.