The Kano State Government has strongly rejected a recent report by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), which ranked Kano among the top three violators of press freedom in Nigeria.
Addressing journalists in Kano, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, described the report as “misleading, unfounded and malicious.”
According to him, the report, titled “Shrinking Freedoms: 2024 Journalism and Civic Space Status Report”, which grouped Kano with Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory, was nothing more than “a figment of imagination by some armchair analysts masquerading as researchers.”
Waiya insisted that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration has consistently demonstrated openness and support for press freedom, contrary to the claims in the report.
“Kano State remains one of the most open, media-friendly and journalist-supportive states in the federation. The administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has consistently demonstrated a firm commitment to promoting press freedom, professional development and inclusive civic engagement,” he said.
He pointed out that the governor had, within two years in office, received multiple awards as the “Most Media-Friendly Governor in Nigeria” from at least five reputable media organisations.
Waiya added that the Yusuf administration had not only engaged media professionals but also fostered inclusivity with civil society groups. He noted that Kano was the only state where civil society organisations were allowed to stage a “Bad Governance” protest freely, with the governor personally receiving the protesters at Government House.
“This rare show of democratic tolerance clearly demonstrates the governor’s deep respect for citizens’ rights to free expression and peaceful assembly,” he said.
The commissioner also highlighted the state’s recent hosting of the first Civil Society Organisations Conference, which provided a platform for dialogue on governance, accountability and citizen participation.
Waiya, therefore, urged the WSCIJ and similar organisations to conduct proper field assessments before publishing reports that could misrepresent states genuinely promoting press freedom.
“Considering these verifiable facts, Kano State cannot, by any credible standard, be classified among states that violate press freedom. On the contrary, the state remains a model of open governance, transparency and mutual respect between government and the media.
“Anything contrary to this is mischievous, malicious and misleading. Kano will continue to uphold free expression, responsible journalism and open dialogue as the pillars of democracy and good governance,” he concluded.
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