The Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed allegations made by Mojeed Misikilu of the International Press Institute in Nigeria, who accused the State of suppressing press freedom and blacklisting Governor Umo Eno. In a statement released on Tuesday, the Government described the claims as unfounded and contrary to its longstanding relationship with journalists and media organisations.
The Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, challenged the Institute to provide any verified instance of a journalist being arrested, detained, intimidated, or restricted under the current administration, as well as evidence of any media organisation being shut down or prevented from operating. He maintained that no such incident has occurred since Governor Eno took office.
According to the statement, the Governor has consistently maintained an open and tolerant posture toward the media, refraining from punitive action even in cases of inaccurate reporting. Professional bodies such as the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Nigerian Guild of Editors have acknowledged his administration’s openness.
Mr. Umana noted that media organisations in the State enjoy full access to cover official activities and public events. They also addressed recent concerns surrounding the recall of a Channels Television correspondent and camera operator, explaining that the move was strictly administrative and unrelated to censorship.
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The statement also highlighted government support for the media sector, citing the donation of vehicles to the State chapter of the NUJ and the completion of the Union’s auditorium, which was commissioned in the presence of the NUJ National President. It also emphasised that 356 communication professionals currently serve across government agencies, marking the highest number of media appointments by any State Government in Nigeria.
The administration expressed disappointment that the allegations were made without proper inquiry or consultation with relevant stakeholders, describing the claims as unfair to a government known for its inclusive communication approach.
The State Government has asked Misikilu to retract his statement and issue a public apology, while urging the International Press Institute to distance itself from what it considers a personal and misleading assertion. It reaffirmed its commitment to protecting press freedom and maintaining a collaborative relationship with journalists, encouraging the public to disregard the report, which it said does not reflect the reality in Akwa Ibom.
