The Kano State Government has revoked the accreditation of 14 journalists covering its activities, instructing them to return to their media organizations for replacements. This unexpected move, announced on Tuesday, affects reporters, directors, producers, and cameramen from major media outlets like AIT, NTA, Freedom Radio, and others.
The decision came in a message from Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, the spokesperson for Governor Abba Yusuf.
He shared the directive with the press crew through their WhatsApp group, stating, “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.”
Though no official reason was provided for the withdrawal of accreditation, the message hinted at recent developments as the cause. The affected journalists include Aliyu Yusuf, Director of Public Enlightenment, and Sani Suraj Abubakar, PRO, along with others from the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), ARTV, Triumph, Freedom Radio, and more. These media representatives have been asked to return to their respective organizations for new assignments.
Insiders with knowledge of the situation pointed to a series of incidents that might have contributed to the decision. One significant event reportedly took place during Governor Abba Yusuf’s condolence visit to Jigawa State following a petrol tanker explosion. A disagreement erupted between the Kano press crew and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Jigawa Government House over access restrictions, leading to a heated exchange.
In another incident, some journalists attempted to meet with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed during a visit to Kano for a religious event. The meeting, which was arranged without prior approval from Kano officials, reportedly caused frustration among state authorities.
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While these incidents were highlighted as possible reasons, some sources suggested that the decision to withdraw accreditation might involve more complex factors. Tensions have been brewing for months, including concerns over a stray bullet that allegedly struck a journalist’s window. Although government officials denied involvement in the incident, it has contributed to a strained relationship between the press and the state government. Additionally, there have been worries about leaks of sensitive information concerning the government’s interactions with journalists.
Despite the lack of a clear explanation from the government, the withdrawal of accreditation has stirred uncertainty among media personnel in Kano State. It remains unclear how the affected media organizations will respond to this sudden move or how it might impact the coverage of state activities in the coming weeks. As the situation develops, many are calling for transparency from the state government regarding the reasons behind its decision.