From Mustapha Saye, Kaduna
Journalists were barred from covering the meeting of the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) held at the Government House in Kaduna today, sparking widespread outrage among members of the press.
The Press Secretary to Governor Uba Sani, Ibrahim Musa, allegedly issued a selective list of journalists permitted to enter the venue, effectively excluding a significant number of reporters, including correspondents from major national and regional media organizations.
Triumph correspondent who was present at the Government House reported that security personnel stationed at the gate cited “orders from above” when denying access to many journalists.
Some affected reporters were seen attempting to reach government officials for clarification but were rebuffed by protocol officers who insisted they were acting on instructions from the governor’s media office.
“This is not just an embarrassment; it is a clear violation of press freedom,” said one veteran journalist who asked not to be named. “Governor Uba Sani has always claimed to be media-friendly, but this incident paints a very different picture.”
The Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the action in strong terms, calling it undemocratic and unacceptable. In a statement issued shortly after the incident, the NUJ called on Governor Sani to urgently investigate the matter and ensure such acts do not repeat themselves.
Some journalists openly accused Musa of incompetence and lacking the capacity to manage media affairs in a government setting. “He is envious, unprofessional, and clearly not fit for the job,” a correspondent with a national daily said angrily.
The Triumph correspondent gathered that this is not the first time Musa has clashed with members of the press. Previous complaints about his high-handedness and lack of communication with reporters have reportedly been ignored by the governor’s inner circle.
As the backlash intensifies, many journalists are now demanding Musa’s removal as Press Secretary, arguing that his actions are damaging the image of Governor Sani’s administration and undermining the principle of transparency.
Efforts to reach Musa for comment were unsuccessful as calls and messages to his mobile phone went unanswered as of press time.
Observers believe the incident could strain the long-standing rapport between the Kaduna State Government and the media unless immediate steps are taken to repair the damage.
