... Warns ex-Governor Wike against inciting rhetoric, urges statesmanship

Veteran journalists, publishers and media executives in Rivers State have threatened to withdraw coverage of all police activities in the state over what they described as the failure of the Nigeria Police Force to decisively act on the January 2 attack on an Arise Television crew in Port Harcourt.

The threat was issued on Thursday during a world press conference convened by a coalition of senior media practitioners under the umbrella of the Port Harcourt Press, following the violent disruption of a live interview involving former Commissioner for Employment Generation and Empowerment, Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa.

In the statement read by Rt. Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, the journalists described the attack on the Arise TV crew—allegedly carried out by armed men who forcefully seized broadcast equipment—as an assault on press freedom and a dangerous signal of rising political intolerance in Rivers State.

They accused the police of “playing to the gallery,” noting that although the equipment was reportedly recovered, no definite arrests have been announced days after the incident. The group expressed concern that despite allegations that a named suspect was mentioned by the interviewee, the police have remained largely silent.

According to the media executives, the apparent inaction of the police has created the impression of compromise and possible complicity, a development they said undermines public confidence in law enforcement and endangers journalists carrying out legitimate duties.

They warned that failure to conduct a thorough investigation and prosecute those responsible within two weeks would force media organisations in Rivers State to withdraw all coverage of police activities in solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

The group formally called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju Adewole, to demonstrate professionalism and impartiality by ensuring a transparent investigation, arrests, and prosecution of all those involved, including alleged sponsors of the attack.

The media leaders further warned that the incident appeared to be a deliberate attempt to intimidate journalists and muzzle the press ahead of future elections, describing it as a test-run aimed at instilling fear within the media space and overheating the polity.

In a strongly worded section of the communiqué, the group cautioned the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, to exercise restraint and statesmanship. They stressed that having governed the state for eight years with public support, he should accept the transient nature of power and avoid actions capable of deepening political tension in the state.

They expressed concern over what they described as incendiary rhetoric attributed to the FCT Minister during visits to local government areas, warning that such statements often heighten political temperature and pose risks to peace and stability in Rivers State.

The media executives said they expected a federal minister to promote tolerance, civility and democratic values, particularly in the build-up to the 2027 general elections, adding that inflammatory language and conduct were inconsistent with leadership.

They concluded by warning against any attempt to suppress press freedom, noting that intimidation of journalists is often the first step toward authoritarianism. The group declared its collective opposition to what it described as the “birth of dictatorship” in Rivers State, regardless of the individuals involved.

The conference statement jointly signed by Rt. Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, Sir Ngo Martyns Yellowe, and Rev’d Canon Jerry Needam, reiterated that an attack on journalists is an attack on society and vowed that the media would no longer remain silent in the face of intimidation.