IPI Nigeria’s ‘media repression’ allegation against Akwa Ibom Governor ‘false, unfounded’ –Commissioner

*Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, Commissioner for Information in Akwa Ibom State decries IPI Nigeria’s reported claim of ‘media repression’ levelled against Governor Umo Eno, arguing the allegation is ‘false, unfounded, and completely inconsistent with the well-established facts avaliable in the state

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Akwa Ibom State Government of Nigeria has reacted to a report credited to Mr. Mojeed Musikilu, President of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria and Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times, over purported “media repression” in the South-South state.

The Akwa Ibom Government said the report claimed IPI Nigeria has blacklisted Governor (Pastor) Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State.

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ConsumerConnect reports IPI Nigeria commenced its two-day 2025 Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM), Tuesday, December 2, 2025, in Abuja, FCT.

The theme of this year’s Conference is: “Addressing Media Repression and Safeguarding Democratic Accountability in Nigeria”.

Coming down hard on the leadership of the Institute in Nigeria over the allegation against Governor Eno, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, Commissioner for Information in Akwa Ibom State, in a statement titled: “IPI’s Mojeed Musikilu Got It Wrong – No Repression of Journalists in Akwa State State”, Wednesday, December 3, 2025, said “this allegation is false, unfounded, and completely inconsistent with the well-established facts of the State’s open and cordial relationship with the media.”

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Umanah stated: “We are not surprised at this latest claim, given the known antagonistic disposition of Premium Times towards the Akwa Ibom State Government.

“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 Information Commissioner noted: “We also challenge them to identify any media house shut down, sanctioned, or barred from operating in the state.

“None exists, because no such incident has occurred under this administration.”

He also explained that since assuming office, Governor Eno has maintained a “distinctly media-friendly and tolerant disposition”.

The statement noted: “Not one journalist has been detained, harassed, or prosecuted—not for lack of inaccuracies published from time to time, but because the Governor believes in constructive engagement rather than confrontation.

“The Governor has also been named one of the most media-friendly governors by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (National and State), Nigerian Guild of Editors and several reputable media organisations in Nigeria and beyond.”

Buttressing his points to disprove the allegation against the governor, Umanah averred: “Furthermore, no media establishment has ever been shut down or restricted from covering government activities.

“The media in Akwa Ibom enjoys full and unhindered access to information, events, and public officials.”

On recall of Channels TV personnel

The Akwa Ibom State Honourable Commissioner for Information clarified in the statement: “For the avoidance of doubt, if the IPI’s claim is anchored on the recent routine recall of Mr. Chris Moffat (then Channels TV Correspondent) and Mr. Kufre Ikpe (Camera Operator), who covered the State for over twenty (20) years, the Institute is completely misguided. “Their recall is standard administrative practice in every public and private establishment.

“Personnel who have served long enough in a particular location or beat are periodically rotated to allow others gain experience and improve operational efficiency.”

He stated for instance, Channels TV has replaced the journalist covering the state, and the administration continues to maintain a robust working relationship with Channels TV and other television stations across the country.

“Such routine reassignment does not amount to repression and should not be deliberately misinterpreted by any responsible institution,” the Commissioner declared.

Measures to strengthen media community in Akwa Ibom, by Umanah

Explaining further steps the Akwa Ibom State Government has taken to improve its relationship with the media over the years, Umanah as well argued that contrary to the IPI Nigeria’s allegations, the current administration has taken “unprecedented steps”  to strengthen the media community.

He disclosed “the State Government recently donated eleven brand new vehicles to the immediate past leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, and also completed and furnished the Council’s Auditorium, which was commissioned by His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, and witnessed by the National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Alhassan Yahya Abdul.

“Additionally, the state has appointed several journalists into strategic boards, commissions, and advisory positions. Akwa Ibom currently has 356 media and communication professionals engaged by the government—the highest number of media practitioners appointed by any State Government.”

IPI’s ‘damaging claims without investigation, evidence, or engagement with relevant stakeholders’

Insisting the allegation of ” “media repression” does not represent the situation in his state, the Commissioner stated: “This is not the profile of a government that represses the press.

“It is, therefore, unfortunate that a representative of the International Press Institute would issue such damaging claims without investigation, evidence, or engagement with relevant stakeholders.”

Umanah intoned: “Such carelessness underscores a clear bias against a Governor widely recognised as one of the most media savvy in Nigeria.

“The (Akwa Ibom) Government calls on Mr. Mojeed Misikilu to retract this misleading claim, and tender a public apology to the Office of the Governor and the Government of Akwa Ibom State. “Government further urges the International Press Institute to disassociate itself from the personal opinion of Mr. Musikilu.”

Rt. Hon. Umanah also stated: “The Akwa Ibom State Government remains fully committed to press freedom, responsible journalism, and continued collaboration with media professionals.

“Governor Umo Eno’s administration will sustain its culture of openness and constructive engagement.”

The Commissioner added: “Members of the public are advised to disregard the IPI claim of Mr. Mojeed Musikilu, as it bears no resemblance to the reality in Akwa Ibom State and is completely at odds with the administration’s pro-media credentials.”

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