The union was reacting to a statement credited to the Oluyede Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party which accused the Oyebanji led government of intimidating journalists and attempting to suppress unfavourable media reports ahead of the governorship contest.
In a statement signed on Thursday by the NUJ Chairman in Ekiti State, Kayode Babatuyi, the council expressed deep concern over what it described as a deliberate and unwarranted attempt to drag the union into partisan politics under the guise of defending press freedom.
The NUJ condemned the move as an unacceptable interference in the affairs of an independent professional body, warning political actors against seeking relevance or sympathy by invoking the name of the union in campaign narratives.
It stressed that the NUJ would not allow itself to be reduced to a pawn in political rivalry, insisting that any individual or group with grievances against the state government should pursue legitimate and lawful channels rather than attempting to conscript the union into political battles.
The council reaffirmed that its engagement with the Ekiti State Government is based on constructive dialogue, mutual respect and democratic engagement, not manufactured confrontations imposed from outside its constituted structures.
While restating its responsibility to hold public office holders accountable through balanced, factual and professional reporting, the NUJ cautioned against inflammatory statements capable of misleading the public and undermining confidence in democratic institutions.
The union issued a strong warning to the PDP and its members to immediately desist from appropriating the voice of the NUJ for political advantage, declaring that it would resist, without hesitation, any attempt to politicise its mandate.
It advised political actors to focus on issue based campaigns and credible engagement with the electorate, stressing that the NUJ will not serve as a battlefield or propaganda tool for partisan interests.
Reassuring the public of its neutrality, the council maintained that it remains a professional and non partisan body committed to ethical journalism, press freedom and the welfare of its members, and will continue to discharge its duties without fear, favour or political pressure.