From Joseph Asegba, Yola
Journalists in Taraba State have announced an indefinite boycott of all state government activities, including the scheduled visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday, over grievances against the Commissioner for Information and Reorientation, Barrister Zainab Usman Jalingo.
The decision was reached after an emergency meeting of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Jalingo, during which members unanimously passed a vote of no confidence on the commissioner.
In a resolution signed by the Chairman of the Resolution Drafting Committee, Mr. Charles Akpeji, the journalists accused the commissioner of incompetence and deliberate marginalization of the independent media.
“For peace to reign between the state government and journalists, Governor Agbu Kefas must immediately remove the commissioner. She has proven to be harsh, unfriendly, and a liability to the administration, often casting the government in a negative light,” the resolution stated.
The union condemned the commissioner’s consistent sidelining of the press during major state functions and failure to accredit journalists for key events, including the forthcoming Taraba State International Investment Summit (TARAVEST) and President Tinubu’s visit.
They also cited the commissioner’s exclusion of chapel members from a recent government-organized road walk, describing it as another attempt to undermine the media’s role.
“This is a calculated effort to gag the press. We condemn the blatant disregard for press freedom and transparency. Effective immediately, the Correspondents’ Chapel will no longer participate in or report on any Taraba State Government activities,” the union declared.
Despite the boycott, the journalists reaffirmed their commitment to serving the public interest.
“We assure the people of Taraba State that we will continue to carry out our watchdog responsibilities. We will report on issues affecting citizens and hold the government accountable, regardless of any attempts at intimidation or exclusion,” the statement concluded.
