The Kano State Government has revoked the accreditation of 14 journalists assigned to cover activities at the government house, effective immediately. In a message sent on Monday, October 21, by spokesperson Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, the affected reporters were instructed to return to their respective media organizations for replacements.
While no official reason was provided for this sudden decision, Dawakin-Tofa referenced recent developments in his message to the government house press crew’s WhatsApp group. He expressed gratitude for the journalists' work over the past year but indicated that pressing issues had arisen during his absence in Serbia that necessitated this action.
Among the 14 journalists affected are directors, producers, and cameramen from various media outlets, including Aliyu Yusuf (Director Public Enlightenment), Sani Suraj Abubakar (PRO), and Adamu Dabo (Chairman Crew – FRCN), among others.
Sources suggest that the revocation of accreditation may be linked to specific incidents, including a confrontation between the Kano government house press crew and DSS operatives during a condolence visit by Governor Yusuf to Jigawa following a petrol tanker explosion. Tensions reportedly escalated over access restrictions, leading to a heated argument.
Additionally, there was an incident where journalists sought to meet with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed during a religious event in Kano without prior approval, which allegedly upset government officials.