An association of journalists of South East origin, IZUNWANNE, has frowned at the recent ban on two media men by Ebonyi state governor, Dave Umahi, describing the action as extreme and unacceptable. In a statement by the Convener of the group, Abuchi Anueyiagu and Secretary, Ngwuoke Ngwuoke, IZUNWANNE expressed shock that such action was from an elected governor who swore to an oath to protect the life and property of persons in the state. Umahi, had recently banned Correspondents of The Sun and Vanguard Newspapers from Ebonyi Government House. Though he has lifted the ban, the stream of condemnations following the action, has not ebbed.
The statement by the South Est journalists stated: “The attention of IZUNWANNE, a grouping of progressive- minded journalists of South East origin, has been drawn to the recent outrageous and unwholesome action taken by the governor of Ebonyi State, Engr.(Chief) Dave Umahi, whereby he took very unacceptable extreme actions against two journalists in his state for performing their lawful and legitimate duties which by his action, unbecoming of of a governor, didn’t go down well with him in accordance with his ego, whims and caprices. He came down from his Olympian heights and descended heavily on the poor and vulnerable journalists, flagrantly and impudently ordering their arrest and prosecution and subsequent bannishment from the state for life, an untoward unacceptable action to IZUNWANNE, which have evoked outrage and attracted widespread condemnation because it’s not just a brazen flagrant abuse of power but an aberration and affront meant to muzzle and suppress free speech and the press in the state.
“IZUNWANNE is alarmed and scandalized that such crude and inciting actions are coming from a governor elected and swore to an oath of office to protect the lives and property of the people living in the state, according to provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to act accordingly.
“As a responsible and independent body committed to the best traditions of the watch dog role of the media, and to the promotion of the common good of the Southeast geo-political zone of Nigeria, as well in exercise of the duty imposed on us by Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), IZUNWANNE has tried to establish the facts in the issues in contention, and we are convinced that the two journalists in question did not commit any offence in the particular reports as to warrant such reprehensible behaviour of the governor against them. The reports, which the governor wrongly considered vexatious and unacceptable rather eloquently speak for themselves as having met the professional standards in news reporting and did not write fiction but reported facts and balanced stories.
“We cannot imagine how at this age and time, an elected governor would make a broadcast, threatening journalists, in the course of performing their lawful duties, with life ban and imprisonment.
“Without any equivocation it was an unnecessary overreaction, especially by a person holding such responsible and exalted public office of state governor.
“Though the governor and his government have in a subsequent action that was seen as an afterthought and a volte face following the widespread condemnation of his action tried to launder his image by attempting to deny ordering the arrest, detention, prosecution and banishing of the two journalists, claiming a distortion of his broadcast, IZUNWANNE finds it very difficult to believe the denials, given the obvious clarity of the broadcast.
“We consider the denial a laughable weak defence that cannot stand, as we could not find anything in the particular reports that suggest a design to undermine the government and people of Ebonyi State as the governor alleged. The reports passed the journalistic tests of balance and objectivity in which all sides were reflected or represented.
“IZUNWANNE totally rejects as unacceptable the governor’s action and condemns it in very strong terms, as it is considered a despotic, despicable and tyrannical behaviour, typical of an incurable intemperate public office holder. We urge him to retrace his steps, which are against social justice, democracy and rule of law. If he had considered the reports in bad taste he should have availed himself of the lawful means or measures of seeking redress through the courts and the Nigerian Press Council, instead of resorting to self help, intimidation, crudity, cruelty, barbarism and wicked tactics that portray himself as an imperial lord who is intolerant and not accountable to anybody or authority.
“Governor Umahi has no doubt by his irrational action betrayed the oath of office he took. He must therefore be called to order to seek the path of civility, honour and rectitude in the conduct of government business.
“We call on journalists to at all times in the course of performing their duties operate within the ambit of the law and abide by the rules and ethics/tenets of their practice and to avoid any act of shame or compromise capable of putting them to public ridicule or odium and bringing down the image of journalism, no matter the lure because maintenance of integrity and honour matter a lot in life”.