IPI Flays Expulsion of Channels Tv Reporters From A’Ibom Govt House
The International Press Institute, IPI, has flayed the expulsion of Channels Television’s correspondent, Chris Moffat, and cameraman, Kufre Ikpe, from the Akwa Ibom State Government House, by the state government, describing the development as a blatant attack on press freedom and a violation of the 1999 Constitution.
The International Press Institute, IPI, has flayed the expulsion of Channels Television’s correspondent, Chris Moffat, and cameraman, Kufre Ikpe, from the Akwa Ibom State Government House, by the state government, describing the development as a blatant attack on press freedom and a violation of the 1999 Constitution.
The expulsion of Channels followed the airing of a leaked video by the television station, where Governor Umo Eno confirmed his imminent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, as well as asking commissioners and other top officials of his administration who did not wish to decamp from the PDP to APC to resign.
However, reacting to the development in
a statement jointly signed by IPI Legal Adviser and Advocacy Committee Chair, Tobi Soniyi, and the Committee’s Secretary, Ochiaka Ugwu, the institute demanded the immediate recall of the expelled journalists and called on Eno to respect constitutional guarantees of press freedom.
The statement read in part: “The state government’s reckless action is alarming. These journalists are experienced professionals with a deep knowledge of government affairs. No journalist should face such humiliating treatment for simply doing their job. We will continue to support impartial reportage, no matter the situation.
IPI further stated that the expulsion violates Chapter 22 of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates the press to hold the government accountable.
IPI warned that failure to reverse the expulsion would only worsen the embarrassment caused by the incident.
Channels Television had, over the weekend, aired a video clip where Governor Eno, while addressing members of his cabinet, stated: “It’s no longer news that I am moving. If you don’t know, I don’t know what else you know. I am told some of you are saying you won’t come. You are free, absolutely free not to join me, but you won’t remain in my cabinet.
“Be prepared to resign the day I announce I’m moving. You are an appointee, and your loyalty is to me. You can’t be in my cabinet and play anti-party. It’s not a threat; it’s a fact. I won’t beg you to come; I shouldn’t have to.”
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