The Akwa Ibom State Government has issued a strong rebuttal to allegations of media repression and suppression of press freedom leveled against it by the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI).
Government Denies Allegations, Demands Proof
In a statement released on 2 December 2025, the State Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, categorically rejected the accusations made by Musikilu Mojeed, President of IPI Nigeria and Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times. Mojeed had reportedly accused the administration of Governor Umo Eno of blacklisting the governor and undermining media freedom.
The government challenged the IPI to provide concrete evidence of any journalist being detained, harassed, or sanctioned on the orders of the state authorities. Commissioner Umanah insisted that no media organization has been shut down by the Akwa Ibom Government since Governor Eno took office.
"The administration has maintained a consistently open posture toward the press," Umanah stated, citing what he described as positive acknowledgements from professional bodies like the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors.
Addressing Specific Incidents and Highlighting Support
The government's statement also addressed specific incidents cited by critics. It clarified that the recent recall of Channels Television staff members, Chris Moffat and Kufre Ikpe, was a routine internal decision by the broadcaster and had no connection to the state government.
To underscore its support for the media, the administration highlighted several key initiatives:
- The donation of 11 vehicles to the NUJ Akwa Ibom Council.
- The completion of the Council's auditorium project.
- The appointment of a significant number of media professionals to various government roles.
Furthermore, the government emphasized that no journalist has been arrested or prosecuted under Governor Eno's tenure, despite the publication of several critical reports in recent months.
The IPI's 'Book of Infamy' and National Context
The government's rebuttal came just hours after IPI Nigeria announced new entries into its "Book of Infamy," a record of individuals and institutions it accuses of undermining press freedom. Listed alongside the Akwa Ibom Governor were Niger State Governor Umaru Bago and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Musikilu Mojeed explained that the listings were based on specific incidents. For Akwa Ibom, he cited the alleged expulsion of two journalists from the Government House. For Niger State, he mentioned the closure of a radio station. Regarding the Police Force, he stated it had not done enough to curb the harassment of journalists nationwide.
At the same event where the listings were revealed, Vice President Kashim Shettima appealed for a two-week window to mediate between the IPI and the affected officials. In a contrasting move, the Director-General of the State Security Service, Adeola Ajayi, received an IPI Commendation Award for her commitment to media freedom.
The clash highlights the ongoing tension between state authorities and media advocacy groups over the state of press freedom in Nigeria, with Akwa Ibom firmly positioning itself as an administration that fosters a cooperative relationship with the Fourth Estate.
