Kano State Government on Tuesday withdrew the accreditation to 14 journalists assigned to cover its activities.
The affected journalists include those from prominent media organisations like the State-owned ARTV, NTA, Freedom Radio, Radio Kano, and AIT.
In a message forwarded to the journalists, Mr Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa, spokesman for the state governor, Mr Abba Yusuf, directed the affected persons to return to their respective organisations for replacements.
The statement reads: “Gentlemen of the press; permit me to use this opportunity to thank all of you for a job well done in the last one year and few months.
“Unfortunately, while I was away to Republic of Serbia last week, some issues happened and the leadership need to take a decision at this critical time.
“This is not by anyway end of our relationship. We will continue to work as professional colleagues at both official and personal levels.
List of Members of the Crew due for Replacement from Govt. House’’
“The list of members of the crew due for replacement from government house includes the director, public enlightenment, government house, Aliyu Yusuf; Public Relations Officer, Sani Suraj Abubakar, and the Chairman of the crew, Adamu Dabo, who covers the government House for Pyramid Radio (FRCN).
“Others are Naziru Yau, ARTV; Sadiq Sani AA, ARTV cameraman; Rabiu Sunusi, Triumph; Umar Sheka, Freedom Radio; Jabir Dan’abba, Nasara Radio; Labara Sound, Simon AIT Cameraman; Nasiru Danhaki, NTA; Abdullahi Sule, Crew Driver; Murtala Baba Kusa, Express Radio and Ibrahim Muazzam, Radio Kano.
“The above members of staff are expected to report back to their respective organisations for re-assignment, pls.”
The message was also posted on the government house press crew’s WhatsApp platform.
While no specific official reason was given for the action, some sources believed that the development was connected to several incidents that occurred recently.
One source pointed to a recent brawl between the government house press crew and the Department of State Services (DSS) operatives at the Jigawa State Government House in Dutse where Yusuf had gone on a condolence visit following a tragic petrol tanker explosion.
Another incident involved journalists seeking an audience with the governor of Bauchi State, Mr Bala Mohammed during his visit to Kano for a religious event without prior approval, which reportedly upset officials.
Other sources also pointed to a growing cold war between the state government and the media since a previous incident of a stray bullet hitting a journalist at the gate of the government house, an event which was reportedly downplayed by government officials despite substantial evidence.
While these events were cited, insiders said the decision to withdraw accreditation might be more complex.
