Ebonyi Journalists Boycott Senator Ken Eze Over Alleged Assault on NUJ Chairman

May 19, 2026 – Nigeria –

Journalists in Nigeria’s Ebonyi State have announced a boycott of Senator Ken Eze following allegations that he and his supporters assaulted the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) during a political confrontation after an All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election.

According to reports by local media outlets, the incident occurred in Onueke, headquarters of Ezza South Local Government Area, shortly after the APC primary election for the Ebonyi Central Senatorial District. Witnesses said tensions rose after Senator Eze allegedly confronted Ebonyi NUJ Chairman Comrade Samson Nwafor over media reports concerning his political activities and re-election ambitions.

Reports stated that the verbal disagreement escalated into chaos when aides and supporters linked to the senator allegedly attacked the NUJ chairman and intimidated other journalists present at the venue. The confrontation reportedly caused panic among party members, journalists, and political observers before security personnel and bystanders intervened to prevent further violence.

Following the incident, the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Ebonyi State resolved to blacklist and boycott all activities involving Senator Eze pending further decisions by the union leadership. Journalists described the alleged assault as an attack on press freedom and an attempt to intimidate media practitioners carrying out their professional responsibilities.

The NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel also reportedly demanded a public apology from the senator and called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to remove Eze from his position as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation. The journalists’ group argued that the alleged incident raised concerns about the senator’s treatment of the media despite overseeing a Senate committee connected to information and public communication.

Media groups and civil society observers in Ebonyi condemned the alleged assault and urged political leaders to maintain respectful engagement with journalists, especially during election periods. They warned that intimidation or violence against reporters could undermine democratic accountability and discourage independent coverage of political activities in the state.

As of the latest reports, Senator Eze had not publicly responded to the allegations. The incident has continued generating debate within Ebonyi’s political and media communities, with journalists insisting they will continue defending press freedom and professional reporting despite threats or harassment.

Reference –

https://tribuneonlineng.com/ebonyi-nuj-blacklists-senator-ken-eze-over-alleged-assault-on-chairman/

Ebonyi NUJ Boycotts Senator Ken Eze Over Alleged Assault on Chairman After APC Primary

Ebonyi journalists blacklist Senator Eze over assault on NUJ chairman