KADUNA – Two Senators representing Kaduna state on Sunday escaped mob attack as the press conference they were addressing at the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ Secretariat, Kaduna was disrupted.
The senators, Shehu Sani, arch rival of Kaduna state Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Othman Hunkuyi, however, managed to escape but the vehicle which brought them to the press conference venue was badly damaged.
The thugs broke the video camera of the Liberty Television, severely wounded the cameraman as they moved toward Senators Sani and Hunkuyi, VANGUARD reports.
Meanwhile, Governor El-Rufai has condemned the mob action by hoodlums at the premises of the NUJ, saying nobody will be allowed to stifle freedom of expression.
In a message to the Kaduna State Council of the NUJ having been briefed on the situation, the governor expressed sympathy with The NUJ and the persons that were harassed by the hoodlums. The Governor directed that the security agencies should investigate and take necessary action against the hoodlums. The Governor also directed security agencies to beef up security at the NUJ secretariat to protect journalists doing their duty.
A statement signed by Samuel Aruwan, spokesman to the Governor said that “the media must not be hindered from carrying out their constitutional and professional obligations. The government of Kaduna State upholds the principles of free speech and respects the freedom of expression.
“Politics should not be a desperate game. And desperation should not be visited on journalists or any citizen.”
Aruwan added that the government of Kaduna State will not tolerate any attempt to muzzle the press and innocent citizens from exercising their constitutional rights.
In another development, the Kaduna State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC on Sunday, insisted Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District remained suspended.
A statement by Assistant Publicity Secretary, Salisu Tanko Wusono, reads “Following the rules and procedure laid down by the constitution, we shall uphold our commitments and defend the constitution of the APC at all times.
“In this quest, having exhausted all avenues available to us in the party, we are left with no option than to uphold the suspension of Comrade Shehu Sani as a member of the party for a period of 11 months.
“By this suspension, he is to desist from all party activities until when the suspension is lifted.
“The party calls on all its members to be law abiding as we move forward to fulfill our campaign promises.”
