The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council, has resolved to boycott all activities and engagements involving the Chairman of Umuahia North Local Government Area, Mr. Smart Iheoma, as well as all matters relating to the council.
This resolution was contained in a 10-point communiqué issued at the end of the union’s monthly Congress for June 2025. The union also barred all its members from covering or reporting any event involving the Chairman or the Council in any conventional media platform henceforth.
The Congress, which was well attended by members from various chapels and presided over by the Council Chairman, Comrade Chidi Asonye, expressed dismay over the alleged insults and abuses hurled at journalists during the May 31, 2025, environmental sanitation exercise by the Mayor of Umuahia North, Mr. Iheoma.
According to the NUJ, the council boss not only used unprintable words on journalists, describing them as “imbeciles” and “criminals”, but also allegedly threatened to bar them from covering state government functions.
The Union strongly condemned what it described as an unacceptable and irresponsible action by an elected public official, warning that such conduct is unbecoming of a person holding such an exalted office.
The Abia State Council of the NUJ further cautioned that any registered member or media organization in the state that violates this resolution by covering or reporting activities related to the Umuahia North Chairman will face stiff sanctions.
The Union reiterated its commitment to maintaining its cordial relationship with the Abia State Government but emphasized that it would not tolerate any action that undermines the integrity, dignity, and responsibilities of the journalism profession as exhibited by the Umuahia North Council Chairman.
