The Nigerian Government has expressed its commitment to bringing to an end impunity for crimes against Journalists in the country.
The country’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami made the commitment at a policy dialogue on the commemoration of 2022 International Day to end impunity for Crimes against Journalists in Abuja with the theme ‘Media Civil Society and Violence -free Elections in Nigeria’.
He said the government has noted with dismay, reports of some forms of attacks on journalists and voters by suspected hoodlums during elections in some parts of the country.
Malami noted that; “President Muhammadu Buhari-led Government is committed to bringing to an end these undemocratic and uncultured activities through the administration of legally justifiable approaches on the perpetrators in order to serve as deterrence to others.”
As the 2023 elections draws closer, Malami used the forum to call on stakeholders involved to observe the electioneering process in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Law.
He urged politicians to ensure that campaign utterances are humane and in conformity with global best practices, thereby contributing to a violence-free electoral process.
Also, Minister of Information Alhaji Lai Muhammed represented by Senior Special Assistant to President on Media Mr. Femi Adesina said, the government will continue to ensure the freedom of information and safety of journalists in the country.
Also, the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Mahmud Yakubu said, a free media may not be sufficient for democracy to survive and thrive, but it is a necessary condition.
Professor Mahmud, represented by Mohammed Haruna noted that INEC recognized the role of the media in peaceful democracy and the need for free media.
He emphasized the importance to ensure that Journalists are protected from any action that will impede them from doing their job of informing and educating the public on every aspect of the General Election in particular and democracy in general.
“As we head towards next year’s General Election beginning on February 25, it is important that everything possible is done to protect journalists from not only violence and crimes.”
“Nigeria is exceptionally lucky that it is not among the countries that are notorious for intimidating and killing journalists, as is the case in several South American and Asian countries.”
The Governor of Kano State Northern Nigeria Umar Ganduje in a message called on journalists to support the government in ensuring peaceful elections in Nigeria.
Presentations on threats to press freedom in an election year and Media, human rights violations and election monitoring were made by Professors Umaru Pate of Federal University Kashere and Anthony Ojukwu Executive Secretary National Human Rights Commission in Nigeria.
Many Journalists from different parts of the country attended the event.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2 November as the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists’ in a General Assembly Resolution after the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on 2 November 2013.
Olusola Akintonde
