The Akwa Ibom State Government has rejected allegations by the President of the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria, Mojeed Misikilu, claiming that press freedom is being curtailed and Governor Umo Eno blacklisted.
Misikilu had accused the state of blacklisting Governor Eno and restricting press freedom, claims the government said are “false, unfounded, and inconsistent with reality”.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, the government challenged the IPI to provide evidence of any journalist being arrested, detained, intimidated, or harassed on the orders of Governor Eno or any state official. The statement also denied ever shutting down or sanctioning any media organization operating in Akwa Ibom.
According to the government, Governor Eno has maintained a “distinctly media-friendly disposition” since assuming office, earning recognition from the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigeria Guild of Editors, and other media organizations for his openness to the press. The administration emphasized that no journalist has been detained or prosecuted under his leadership, despite occasional critical reports.
The government also refuted claims linking alleged repression to the recent redeployment of Channels Television correspondent Chris Moffat and camera operator, Kufre Ikpe, describing the move as a routine administrative exercise common in both public and private sectors, not an act of intimidation.
Highlighting its support for the media, the government cited recent interventions, including the donation of 11 vehicles to the NUJ Akwa Ibom State Council and the completion of the Council’s auditorium. It further noted that 356 media and communication professionals currently serve in various government roles, the highest in any Nigerian state.
The statement criticized Misikilu for issuing what it called “damaging claims without investigation or evidence”, asserting that his allegations reflect bias rather than fact. The government reaffirmed its commitment to upholding press freedom and working collaboratively with media practitioners to strengthen journalism in Akwa Ibom.
