The Kano government rejects the Wole Soyinka Center study that claims press freedom was violated.

 

A report by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), which charged the state with press freedom violations, was rejected by the Kano State Government.

Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Wayya, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, called the allegation "baseless and unfounded," claiming it lacked credibility and supporting evidence, during a news briefing in Kano.


"There is absolutely no basis or rationale for the report," Wayya stated.

"The Kano State Government upholds journalists' freedom of expression in conformity with the Constitution and the law."

He stated that while the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf welcomes fact-based, constructive criticism, will not put up with willful lies intended to damage the government's reputation.

He declared, "We will not tolerate fabrications intended to mislead the public or discredit the government, but we welcome any form of criticism based on truth and evidence."

The Commissioner went on to say that the Abba Kabir Yusuf administration is still dedicated to upholding journalists' rights and advancing democracy by working with civil society organizations and maintaining open lines of communication.

Kano was one of the top three Nigerian states, along with Lagos and Abuja, where press freedom breaches were most frequently reported, according to the Wole Soyinka Center's report, "Shrinking Freedoms: 2024 Journalism and Civic Space Status Report."

Wayya, however, rejected the results, saying the Center relied on dubious sources and was underrepresented in Nigerian states, especially Kano.

He said that there was a covert purpose behind the release of this report. "In many states, including Kano, the Center does not even have representatives to confirm what actually occurs here."

Wayya further underlined that the government of Governor Yusuf has won numerous national and international honors for its media-friendly policies and progressive stance.

"The Leadership newspaper honored Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf as the 'Governor Advancing Education in Nigeria,'" he said. "The African Leadership Magazine also named him the African Governor of the Year for Good Governance."

He used the example of the 2024 statewide demonstration against terrible government, in which Yusuf was the only governor to welcome and converse with demonstrators in a nonviolent manner.

Wayya stated, "Governor Yusuf welcomed the protesters with empathy and understanding when others resisted."

In closing, the Commissioner reiterated that the Kano government is open and dedicated to upholding democratic principles.

"We will continue to operate in an open manner in all of our government's operations," he promised.