Some politicians in Kaduna State have lamented that some politicians, directly and indirectly, sponsor miscreants to attack journalists while covering political assignments, especially towards the 2023 general elections.
Heavy attacks on journalists by thugs at different coverage of political events in recent times gave credence to these ugly incidents in the State capital.
According to reports, one of the journalists had his car stolen, and others were molested, and beaten by thugs at coverage of political events in recent times. Unfortunately, security men appeared to have turned their backs on embattled reporters.
Journalists in the State have been witnessing the display of dangerous weapons such as sharp knives, cutlasses and daggers as well as the outright display of amulets and charms by the thugs as presidential and governorship aspirants visited their respective party offices for consultation and wooing of delegates ahead of primaries elections.
It was observed that whenever political rallies and meetings were being held, thugs, whom it was alleged, always often had free entrance to such venues than the journalists assigned to cover such events.
Another segment of persons that would also enjoy the opportunity of free access to venues of political events at the detriment of journalists are the praise singers.
On most occasions, reporters are subjected to undue screening by security operatives at entrances to such events, raining unnecessary questions and causing delays for men of the fourth estate of the realms on duty.
Journalists have threatened to boycott future political activities in the State, should relevant authorities fail to recover a stolen vehicle belonging to one of their members.
More worrisome in recent times is the fact some politicians have engaged what is known as bootlickers to do the dirty jobs of rubbishing journalists over stories considered not in favour of their paymaster.
Meanwhile, pressure is being mounted on the State Chairman of the NUJ, Hajiya Asma’u Yawo Halilu, to call for the boycott of all political assignments and activities in the State until politicians have come to term to accord newsmen their due respect and honour.
