The Kano State Government has revoked the accreditation of 14 journalists covering the government house, effective immediately.
Spokesman to the governor, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa in a message to the affected pressmen, on Monday, directed them to report back to their respective offices for replacement to be forwarded by their various organisations.
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Although no reason was given for the withdrawal of their accreditation, but in the message posted on the Whatsapp group of the government house crew by Sanusi Bature urged them to abide by the directive that takes effect from today, Tuesday.
The statement thus read, ‘’Gentlemen of the press Permit me to use this opportunity to thank all of you for a job well done in the last one year and few months.
Unfortunately, while I was away to Republic of Serbia last week, some issues happened and the leadership need to take a decision at this critical time.
This is not by anyway end of our relationship, we will continue to work as professional colleagues at both official and personal levels.
List of Members of the Crew Due for Replacement from Govt. House’’
1. Aliyu Yusuf, Director Public Enlightenment
2. Sani Suraj Abubakar, PRO
3. Adamu Dabo, Chairman Crew-FRCN
4. Naziru Yau, ARTV
5. Sadiq Sani AA, ARTV
6. Rabiu Sunusi, Triumph
7. Umar Sheka, Freedom
8. Jabir Dan’abba, Nasara
9. Labara Sound
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10. Simon AIT Cameraman
11. Nasiru Danhaki, NTA
12. Abdullahi Sule, Driver
13. Murtala Baba Kusa, Express
14. Ibrahim Muazzam, Radio Kano
The above members of staff are expected to report back to thier respective organizations for re-assignment, pls.”
SolaceBase gathered that some of the issues that occurred last week that was used as reasons to call for the replacement of the media professionals but not stated in the message include an altercation between the government house crew with DSS operatives at the Jigawa Government House when the governor Abba Kabir Yusuf went on condolence over the petrol tanker incident that left over 170 dead
”The DSS insisted that not all pressmen would be allowed into where the two governors were but the Kano government house crew were not comfortable with this and it led to a shouting match, ”a source said.
Also, the paper was informed that Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed was in Kano over the weekend for a Kadirriyya religious sect event, (Maokibi) in which governor Abba Kabir Yusuf was scheduled to be there.
However, Governor Abba did not later attend the event but some of the government house press crew were said to have gone to the Hotel where the Bauchi State governor was, requesting for an audience with him.
It was gathered that this did not go down well with the authorities at the government house who felt they should not have used the government house press crew vehicle for such an assignment.
Hence a list of those involved was compiled and the action taken over them
However, credible sources told SolaceBase that the issue for the withdrawal of the pressmen accreditation was beyond those issues of last week.
The sources said since the issue of a stray bullet that pierced through a journalist occurred months back which was denied despite evidence that avails and other leaked information of happening around the Kano seat of power where journalists were mostly asked not to report, there has been moves to rejig the press crew of the government house.
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The governor’s spokesman, Sanusi Bature, when contacted through WhatsApp call since he is out of the country but there was no response.
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