BREAKING: Tinubu Gets 48 Hours Ultimatum Concerning Aso Rock (DETAILS)

BREAKING: Tinubu Gets 48 Hours Ultimatum Concerning Aso Rock (DETAILS)

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called upon President Bola Tinubu to utilize his influential position to promptly reverse the unjust ban imposed on 25 journalists and media organizations from covering the presidential villa. They urge him to reinstate the accreditation of those affected.

SERAP has urged him to openly instruct presidential villa officials to allow journalists and media outlets to carry out their professional duties without hindrance, ensuring their constitutional responsibility of holding those in power accountable.

In a letter authored by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and shared with Channels Television on Sunday, SERAP conveyed its appeal. The organization highlighted that the Federal Government recently revoked the accreditation of approximately 25 journalists who covered activities at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

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The journalists subjected to the ban hail from outlets such as Vanguard, Galaxy TV, Ben TV, MITV, ITV Abuja, PromptNews, ONTV, and Liberty.

The letter, dated August 26, 2023, expressed, “Preventing these journalists and media houses from accessing the Presidential Villa impedes their legitimate constitutional role.”

The statement underscored that blocking journalists and media organizations from public events hampers citizens’ access to information and involvement in governance matters. SERAP emphasized that media freedom is a vital element of Nigeria’s democracy, allowing journalists to scrutinize the government effectively. The letter also affirmed that the government cannot selectively decide which journalists cover its actions.

The communication urged prompt action within 48 hours of receipt/publication of the letter, cautioning that if no response is received within that timeframe, SERAP would contemplate legal measures to enforce its request in the public interest.

The letter stated, “The expulsion of journalists from the presidential villa might be perceived as your administration’s wavering stance on media freedom and citizens’ rights to information and participation in governance.”

SERAP emphasized that the government’s legal obligation to safeguard and uphold media freedom, human rights, and public access to the presidential villa surpass any purported concerns about security or overcrowding.

The organization stressed that media freedom, access to information, and citizens’ participation are fundamental for a democratic and rule-of-law-based society. It warned that the withdrawal of journalists’ accreditation would not only discourage reporting but could lead to self-censorship.

By preventing journalists from the villa, the government erects barriers between the public and crucial information about its operations, infringing on citizens’ constitutional right to information.

The letter underscored the importance of allowing media coverage at the presidential villa to enhance the transparency of government actions and serve the public interest.

In justification for the ban, the government cited concerns about an overabundance of print photographers and overcrowding in the State House, as well as security worries. However, SERAP argued that these justifications should not override the basic principles of media freedom, access to information, and citizens’ participation.

In conclusion, the letter called upon President Tinubu to take effective actions to respect media freedom, access to information, and citizens’ participation in government affairs. It underscored that these actions would uphold the principles of democracy and human rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, international covenants, and charters.