A staff member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) , Emmanuel Okoronkwo, who was assigned to Senator Samuel Anyanwu , reportedly assaulted The Sun Correspondent, Mr. Ndubuisi Orji, on Monday while he was covering activities at the PDP secretariat in Abuja....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE➤
The incident occurred amidst a leadership dispute within the party, triggered by a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal in Enugu. The court affirmed Sunday Ude-Okoye as the PDP National Secretary, replacing Senator Anyanwu, a former Senator. Despite the ruling, Anyanwu has maintained that he remains the authorized representative of the party to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and has filed an appeal against the court’s decision.
On December 20, 2024, the appellate court upheld an earlier Enugu High Court ruling that confirmed Ude-Okoye’s appointment. Following the judgment, Ude-Okoye formally resumed his office at the PDP secretariat on December 30, 2024, in compliance with the court’s decision.
However, tensions have risen as Anyanwu continues to assert his position. In response to Ude-Okoye’s visit to the party headquarters, Anyanwu reportedly instructed security personnel to prevent journalists from entering the premises.
On Monday, when Mr. Orji attempted to report on the ongoing leadership developments, he was turned away by security personnel, who cited Anyanwu’s directive. They instructed him to seek permission from Anyanwu or the Chief Security Officer. As Orji left the premises to return to his car, Okoronkwo allegedly approached him and assaulted him, slapping him multiple times and damaging his mobile phone. The attack was only halted when security intervened.
The incident was reported to the Wuse Division of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja. The PDP Press Corps, through its chairman Samuel Ogidan, condemned the assault, calling for a thorough investigation and justice. They expressed concerns that the attack may have been sanctioned by Senator Anyanwu, given his confirmation of the security directive.
The Press Corps statement underscored the importance of press freedom in a democratic society and labeled the assault as a violation of democratic principles. They called on the PDP leadership to take swift action against Okoronkwo and ensure that such an incident does not recur, stressing the need to protect journalists’ rights, especially in the context of the ongoing leadership disputes within the party. ...CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE➤
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