Journalists in Taraba State have launched a protest against what they describe as a calculated attempt by the government to sideline the media during major state events.
The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by Mr. Gabriel Yough, voiced strong condemnation over the state’s failure to accredit its members for the recent Taraba State International Investment Summit, known as TARAVEST, and the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a resolution reached during an emergency congress, the drafting committee’s chairman, Mr. Charles Akpeji, criticised the move as a deliberate suppression of press freedom and an affront to media transparency.
Describing the exclusion as unacceptable, the union declared an indefinite boycott of all government-related functions in Taraba.
The Chapel also passed a vote of no confidence in the Commissioner for Information, Zainab Usman Jalingo, particularly over her comments regarding the selection of journalists for a government-organised road walk — an event from which Chapel members were notably left out.
Despite the tensions, the NUJ reiterated its commitment to journalistic responsibility and its role as a public watchdog.
“Our duty is to the people of Taraba State. No amount of exclusion or intimidation will deter us from reporting the truth,” said Mr. Yough.
The Chapel warned that unless steps are taken to reverse the marginalisation, the boycott would remain in force.
