Emmanuel Masha 
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has condemned an alleged verbal attack by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Blessing Amadi on the publisher of the South-South Voice Newspaper, Mike Chibuoso Iwezor.
Amadi, who represents Port Harcourt Federal Constituency 2 in the Green Chambers of the National Assembly was alleged to have verbally assaulted Iwezor, in a telephone conversation, threatening to deal with him in a manner he would not like.
The Union, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Stanley Job Stanley and Secretary, Ike Wigodo, respectively, described the lawmaker’s actions
” as an abuse of political office and unwarranted intimidation to prevent Mr Iwezor from carrying out his constitutional obligation to inform and educate the public.”
According to the NUJ, the South-South Voice Newspaper had reported in its last edition, with the headline: “Phagarians Reject Poor Representation”, which faulted the kind of representation of the two members of the House Representatives representing Port Harcourt constituencies, Hon. Blessing Amadi, and Hon. Manuchimso Umezuruike.
The newspaper claimed that the duo had failed in their duties to speak for their people or sponsor bills that would benefit their constituencies.
“Rather than debunking the reports and set the records straight in a civilised manner required of an honourable member, Hon Blessing Amadi allegedly resorted to a verbal attack on Mr Chibuoso Iwezor and also threatened his life,” the statement added and called on the security agencies to investigate the verbal attack on Mr Iwezor.
“Hon. Blessing Amadi a close associate of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chief Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike should know that she is holding political office and that she is accountable to the people of her constituency and State.
“We want to educate Hon. Blessing Amadi that verbal attacks and threats to the lives of journalists who criticized her would not save her but would rather worsen the situation.
“The publisher of the South-South Voice Newspaper merely reminded Hon. Blessing Amadi of her duties to her constituency and the need to buckle up.
“If Hon. Blessing Amadi found the South-South Voice Newspaper’s reports to be false, she has the right of reply and rebuttal, and not to resort to attack and intimidation of the newspaper’s publisher.
“We, therefore, condemn in very strong terms the alleged verbal attack on our member and warned politicians against unwarranted intimidation and harassment of journalists in the state.”
