Pure Imagination!’ – Kano Reacts To Report Listing It Among Press Freedom Offenders

The Kano State Government has strongly dismissed a recent report by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) that ranked the state among Nigeria’s top three press freedom violators.

Speaking to journalists in Kano, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, described the report as “misleading, unfounded, and malicious.

He noted that the report, titled “Shrinking Freedoms: 2024 Journalism and Civic Space Status Report”, which placed Kano alongside Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory, was “merely the product of armchair analysts masquerading as researchers.”

Waiya stressed that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration has consistently shown openness and support for press freedom, contradicting the report’s claims.

“Kano State remains one of the most media-friendly and journalist-supportive states in the federation. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration is committed to promoting press freedom, professional development, and inclusive civic engagement,” he said.

He added that within his two years in office, the governor has received multiple awards recognizing him as the “Most Media-Friendly Governor in Nigeria” from at least five reputable media organizations.

Waiya further highlighted the administration’s engagement with both media professionals and civil society groups, noting that Kano is the only state where civil society organizations were permitted to stage a “Bad Governance” protest freely, with the governor personally receiving the protesters at Government House.

“This rare demonstration of democratic tolerance clearly reflects the governor’s respect for citizens’ rights to free expression and peaceful assembly,” he said.

He also pointed to Kano’s recent hosting of the first Civil Society Organizations Conference, providing a platform for dialogue on governance, accountability, and citizen participation.

The commissioner urged WSCIJ and similar organizations to conduct thorough field assessments before publishing reports that could misrepresent states genuinely promoting press freedom.

“By any credible standard, Kano State cannot be classified as a violator of press freedom. On the contrary, it stands as a model of open governance, transparency, and mutual respect between the government and the media. Anything to the contrary is mischievous, malicious, and misleading. Kano will continue to uphold free expression, responsible journalism, and open dialogue as pillars of democracy and good governance,” he concluded.