Saraki, CNPP condemn attack on journalists in Kwara

A former senator and governorship aspirant of the
Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State, Senator
Gbemisola Saraki and the Conference of Nigeria’s
Political Parties, Kwara State, on Monday condemned
the attack on the crew of Channels Television by thugs
suspected to be members of the Peoples Democratic
Party.
The crew had gone to cover the PDP state Assembly
congress at Yebmot Hotel, Ilorin, on Saturday, when they
were attacked.
Saraki in a statement by his aide, Mrs. Olayemi Yusuf,
said that the attack on the media crew of Channels
Television and others in the course of their assignment is
“barbaric, despicable and clearly uncalled for.”
She said, “Considering their thankless duties, journalists
should be any politician’s last target for attacks. Attacking
journalists is tantamount to attacking the very foundation
upon which our democracy is built.
“Instead, they deserve our collective support towards
enthroning the tenets of democracy, good governance and
public accountability.”
“The fact that the journalists are on official duty, and
having duly identified themselves as journalists, would be
targeted for attack is the height of impunity. This
unwholesome action must be condemned by all, irrespective
of party affiliations.
“In the same vein, the Kwara State Police Command is
hereby implored to live up to its bidding as the protector of
the sanctity of human life and property. The report that
uniformed men looked away while the atrocious attack on
innocent journalists was being carried on, is not only
puzzling but very unfortunate.”
The state Chairman of CNPP, Alhaji Alabi Lawal
during a media briefing condemned the attack on the
journalists and also that of the state Governor, Alhaji
Abdulfatah Ahmed, at Kaiama.
He called on the Newspaper Proprietors Association Of
Nigeria, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Nigerian Bar
Association and other respectable bodies to act and
condemn the attack on journalists in order to secure and
preserve the sanity of the nation’s democracy.