By Faith Ajewole
The Union of Campus Journalists, University of Ibadan (UCJ UI), has declared full solidarity with its sister organisation, the Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University (ACJOAU), following ACJOAU’s decision to withdraw from covering the ongoing 2024/2025 Students’ Union elections.
In an official statement of solidarity, UCJ UI strongly condemned the reported harassment, physical intimidation, and systematic exclusion faced by ACJOAU reporters across several polling units in Ile-Ife.
Describing the development as a grave threat to student democracy, the union emphasised that journalists must never be victimised or silenced for performing their civic duty of keeping the public informed. “Campus journalists play an indispensable role in documenting events, promoting accountability, and ensuring that members of the university community have access to accurate and timely information,” the statement read. “Any attempt to silence or obstruct the press weakens public confidence and sets a dangerous precedent for democracy.”
UCJ UI commended ACJOAU leadership for taking a decisive stance to prioritise the safety and physical well-being of its field reporters over reporting under hostile conditions.
The union further called on all relevant stakeholders to launch an immediate investigation into the attacks and re-establish a safe environment for independent press operations.
Reaffirming its commitment, UCJ UI maintained that no election can be deemed free, fair, or credible if journalists are denied the right to observe and report proceedings without fear of interference.
