By Ofonime Honesty
The Akwa Ibom State Government has issued a rebuttal against the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria, dismissing allegations of media repression in the state as “false, unfounded, and completely inconsistent” with the established facts of its relationship with the press.
The government, in a press release signed by the Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, was responding to a report credited to Mr. Mojeed Misikilu of the IPI Nigeria and Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times, which alleged a climate of media repression and claimed to have blacklisted the state’s Governor, Pastor Umo Eno.
Describing the claim as unsurprising given “Premium Times’ known antagonistic disposition” towards the state government, the information commissioner threw down a direct challenge to the IPI.
“The Government hereby challenges the IPI and its leadership to provide a single verifiable instance of any journalist arrested, detained, invited, intimidated, or harassed on the orders of the Governor or the Akwa Ibom State Government,” the statement read.
It further dared the body to “identify any media house shut down, sanctioned, or barred from operating in the State,” asserting that no such incident has occurred under Governor Eno’s administration.
Commissioner Umanah detailed the administration’s media-friendly credentials, noting that Governor Eno has been recognised as one of the nation’s most media-friendly governors by bodies including the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigeria Guild of Editors. He emphasised a policy of “constructive engagement rather than confrontation,” even in the face of published inaccuracies.
The government addressed what it suspects may be the root of the IPI’s “misguided” claim: the recent recall of two long-serving Channels TV staff from the state. It clarified that the recall of correspondent Mr. Chris Moffat and camera operator Mr. Kufre Ikpe was a “standard administrative practice” of and routine rotation, not a government directive.
“Channels TV, for instance, has replaced the journalist covering the State, and the administration continues to maintain a robust working relationship with Channels and other television stations across the country. Such routine reassignment does not amount to repression,” the Commissioner stated.
Contrasting the allegations with its recorded actions, the government highlighted “unprecedented steps” to empower the media, including the donation of eleven brand new vehicles to the State NUJ Council leadership and the completion and furnishing of the Council’s auditorium, commissioned by the Governor.
Furthermore, the government revealed it has engaged 356 media and communication professionals in strategic boards, commissions, and advisory roles—a figure it claims is the highest number of media practitioners appointed by any state government in Nigeria.
“This is not the profile of a government that represses the press,” the statement asserted.
The government condemned the IPI representative for issuing “damaging claims without investigation, evidence, or engagement,” attributing it to “a clear bias.” It has called on Mr. Mojeed Misikilu to retract the claim and tender a public apology, while urging the IPI to disassociate itself from his “personal opinion.”
Reaffirming its commitment to press freedom, the Akwa Ibom State Government advised the public to disregard the IPI’s claims, stating they “bear no resemblance to the reality in Akwa Ibom State.”
