Security operatives barred journalists from covering the 2025 budget presentation by Governor Dauda Lawal at the Zamfara State House of Assembly in Gusau on Thursday, sparking outrage among media professionals......Read The Full Article>>.....Read The Full Article>>
The journalists, who arrived at the Assembly complex as early as 9 am were reportedly ordered to leave by security personnel just as the governor made his way into the chamber.
Efforts by the governor’s media aide, Sulaiman Bala Idris, to mediate were rebuffed by the security officers, who stood their ground despite appeals to allow the journalists to perform their constitutional duties.
“Please take it easy. I know how you feel, but I assure you we will rectify the issue,” Idris told the visibly frustrated journalists.
However, only Channels Television and TVC reporters were granted access to cover the event, further fuelling suspicions among the excluded press corps.
A source within the Assembly complex, who spoke on condition of anonymity, attributed the move to a potential quorum issue among lawmakers.
“Blocking journalists was a deliberate decision because only a few members were present in the chamber, and they did not meet the quorum required to officially receive the governor for the budget presentation,” the source alleged.
Of the 24 Assembly members, only a fraction reportedly attended the session, raising questions about the validity of the proceedings.
The exclusion of journalists has drawn criticism from media practitioners, who have called for greater respect for press freedom and transparency in government activities.
Efforts to reach the Assembly leadership for comment were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
