Security bar journalists from govs’ induction at the Villa

Journalists covering the induction for the returning governors and governors-elect at the Old Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, have been prevented from covering the second day of the ceremony organised by the Nigeria Governors Forum(NGF).

No reason was offered by security personnel at the entrance of the venue for the directive, which affected State House correspondents who have a press room within the Banquet Hall.

However, feelers from some of the organisers, who chose to remain anonymous, indicated that the order to bar journalists may not be unconnected with the reports of the accounts of the first day session of the induction that was declared open by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

More worrisome to the organisers appeared to be the warning given by chairman of the Governors Forum and governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, that another economic recession loomed from next year if prudent management of resources was not immediately ensured at all tiers of government.

The warning as reported by the press, has since attracted uncomplimentary reactions from Nigerians, especially economic and industrial stakeholders.

Serious reprimand was also given to the governors and the Federal Government by some of the speakers at the first day session, like cerebral Catholic cleric, Bishop Hassan Kukah, and Chairman of First Bank, Mrs. Dere Awosika.

When pressed to offer reasons why journalists were not allowed access, security officials claimed that the order came from the NGF.

But the spokesman of the NGF, Abdulrazaq Barkindo, promptly dismissed the suggestion, saying that the security officials took the decision on their own accord. He said all efforts to get them to reverse the decision have failed.