Having exhausted every means of communication with the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission on the need for proper accreditation of journalists to cover the Saturday Local Government Elections in the state, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council has resolved to boycott the coverage of the election.
A statement by the Council Chairman, Comrade Samuel Numonengi and the Secretary, Comrade Ogio Ipigansi cited the uncompromising attitude of the management of the State Independent Electoral Commission to the leadership of the union in the state to handle the accreditation of journalists, hence the reason for the boycott.
The statement noted that the failure of the commission to involve the union in its stakeholders meeting is a demonstration of its unpreparedness to put modalities in place to guaranty the safety of journalists hence jeopardizing the lives of its members who would be on the field on the day of the elections.
The statement further noted that any journalist who fails to adhere strictly to the decision by the union to boycott the local government elections in the state and goes out on the day of the election for the sole purpose of covering the elections does so at his or her own risk and would not enjoy the backing of the union should any unpleasant development occur.
It urged all journalists in the state to see the decision to boycott the election as something done in the best interest of members, considering the safety of their lives as paramount.
It noted that members would be called back to duty to cover the said elections only if the commission retraces it steps to do the needful as the doors of the union is still open.
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