The Kano State government has withdrawn the accreditation of 14 journalists assigned to cover the Government House, effective immediately.
The decision was communicated in a message sent to journalists by the spokesman to the State governor, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, through the WhatsApp group of the Government House Press Crew.
In the message, Dawakin-Tofa directed the affected journalists to return to their respective media organisations, which are expected to nominate replacements. “Gentlemen of the press,” he wrote, “Permit me to thank all of you for a job well done in the last one year and few months. Unfortunately, while I was away to the Republic of Serbia last week, some issues happened and the leadership needed to take a decision at this critical time.”
Affected journalists include those from prominent media organisations like the State-owned ARTV, NTA, Freedom Radio, Radio Kano, and AIT. Their names were given as Aliyu Yusuf, Sani Suraj Abubakar, Adamu Dabo, Naziru Yau, Sadiq Sani AA, Rabiu Sunusi, Umar Sheka, Jabir Dan’abba, Simon (AIT Cameraman), Nasiru Danhaki, Abdullahi Sule, Murtala Baba Kusa, and Ibrahim Muazzam.
While the official message did not provide a specific reason for the decision, sources privy to the development opined that several incidents may have contributed to the withdrawal of the accreditation.
One source pointed to a recent altercation between the Government House press crew and Department of State Services (DSS) operatives at the Jigawa State Government House in Dutse, where Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had gone on a condolence visit following a tragic petrol tanker explosion.
A scene was created when the DSS operatives restricted the number of journalists allowed to enter the venue, leading to a confrontation between the journalists and security officials.
In addition, it has been reported that on another occasion members of the press crew sought an audience with Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, during his visit to Kano over the weekend. The crew reportedly used a government vehicle for the visit, an action that was deemed inappropriate by Kano State government.
Although the incidents have been widely speculated as reasons for the latest development, sources familiar with the matter further suggested that the reasons for the withdrawal of the journalists run deeper. “The speculations are true and there are many more complex issues at play in the Government House,” a member of the press crew told LEADERSHIP on condition of anonymity. He added, “That’s why I’m not surprised by this abrupt call for replacements.”
Some insiders have also pointed to a growing cold war between the State government and the media since a previous incident of a stray bullet hitting a journalist at the gate of the Government House some months ago, an event that was reportedly downplayed by government officials despite substantial evidence. Other instances of internal conflicts and restrictions of media coverage may have also played a role in the decision to overhaul the Government House press crew.
