By Tina Amanda
The Community of Persons with Disabilities in Rivers State has demanded the revocation of the membership certificate of Kie Obumanu from the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and his exclusion from all disability-related activities.
Obumanu, a journalist with Radio Rivers and a member of the People with Disabilities Rivers State, stands accused of using his media platform to intimidate and harass fellow members of the disability community.
Speaking to our Correspondent, Comrade Ngo Baridapdoo, State Secretary General of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Rivers State Chapter, called for Obumanu’s immediate dismissal from Radio Rivers. Baridapdoo alleged that Obumanu had abandoned his role as an advocate for justice and inclusivity, choosing instead to oppress and terrorize the community he is supposed to represent.
Baridapdoo detailed a series of incidents, including a recent altercation on December 12, 2024, at Orugbon Healthcare Centre in Port Harcourt, where he and his wife were allegedly assaulted by individuals acting on Obumanu’s orders. These incidents reportedly occurred during an insurance registration exercise organized by the Rivers State Government.
The secretary general further accused Obumanu of consistently using persons with hearing impairments to intimidate and harass other members of the community, highlighting a 2018 death threat that led to a petition to the Department of State Services (DSS), which he claimed went unresolved.
Baridapdoo expressed dismay that Obumanu, who is also a person with a disability, would engage in such actions, accusing him of exploiting his position as a journalist and his proximity to power for personal gain.
The disability community in Rivers State issued a set of demands as follows:
“We urge the NUJ to revoke Obumanu’s membership, citing violations of journalistic ethics. We call on Radio Rivers to terminate Obumanu’s employment immediately.
“We the community demands that Obumanu be barred from participating in any disability-related events or initiatives.
Baridapdoo emphasized that Obumanu’s actions undermine the principles of advocacy, unity, and inclusivity. “Instead of amplifying the voices of the marginalized, he has become an oppressor.”
The community appealed to the Rivers State Government, civil society organizations, and the media to support their efforts to restore peace and justice within their ranks.
“We need advocates who will champion our challenges, amplify our voices, and fight for our rights—not individuals who seek personal gain at our expense,” Baridapdoo said.
The allegations have sparked significant concern within the disability community, as members vow to hold Obumanu accountable and protect the integrity and dignity of their shared advocacy efforts.
