Kano Govt Bans AIT, NTA, 12 Other Journalists From Covering Activities

In what many journalists consider a threat to free press, the Kano State Government has banned 14 journalists assigned to cover its activities from all its activities and access to government houses and offices.

The governor took journalists by surprise on monday night when Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, the spokesperson for Governor Abba Yusuf, announced the withdrawal of accreditation to the 14 media organisations in a message forwarded to them.

They were notified that the affected reporters with effect from Tuesday, should return to their respective organisations as they would no longer be allowed to cover activities of the state government.

No official reason was provided for the decision.

Dawakin-Tofa’s message to the affected journalists said, “Gentlemen of the press. Permit me to thank all of you for a job well done in the last one year and a few months.

“Unfortunately, while I was away in the Republic of Serbia last week, some undisclosed issues happened, and the leadership needed to take a decision at this critical time.”

The statement listed the 14 journalists affected, including directors, producers, and cameramen from various media organisations as, Aliyu Yusuf, Director Public Enlightenment – Sani Suraj Abubakar, PRO- Adamu Dabo, Chairman Crew – FRCN- Naziru Yau, and ARTV- Sadiq Sani AA.

Others are ARTV- Rabiu Sunusi, Triumph- Umar Sheka, Freedom- Jabir Dan’abba, Nasara- Labaran Sound- Simon, AIT Cameraman- Nasiru Danhaki, NTA- Abdullahi Sule, Driver- Murtala Baba Kusa, Express- Ibrahim Muazzam, Radio Kano.

While no official reasons have been given, there were reports that the governor did not take kindly to the confrontation that happened between the Kano government house press crew and DSS operatives at the Jigawa Government House over access restrictions when Governor Yusuf embarked on condolence visit to the following a petrol tanker explosion.

It was reported that the argument degenerated into a heated confrontation which the governor was told and was not impressed with.

Also, governor Yusuf and his officials were left unimpressed and upset when journalists sought an audience with the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, during a visit to the state for a religious event without prior approval.

Journalists have complained of working under pressure and with reports of tension building up especially when a stray bullet struck a journalist’s window months ago.

Officials however denied the incident but it worsened the difficult working condition between the state government and journalists with some officials repeatedly complaining of leakages of the government’s interactions with the press in matters agreed to be kept secret.

Attempts to get additional information on why the affected journalists were pushed out failed as calls to the telephone line of the spokesman of the governor rang out unanswered.