The Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, has barred the Channels Television crew from the Government House press center in Uyo, the state capital.
The decision follows the broadcast of a video where Governor Umo Eno announced his plans to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing internal wrangling within the PDP as the reason for his decision to defect.
He made the announcement during a state executive council meeting, where he also asked his commissioners and other political appointees to either defect with him to the APC or resign their positions.
The governor emphasized that political appointees who wish to remain in the PDP are free to do so, but they will no longer be part of his cabinet.
He stated, “It is no longer news that I’m leaving the party… You are free, absolutely free, not to join me, but you won’t be in my state executive council.”
The barring of Channels TV’s reporter, Christopher Moffat, and cameraman, Kufre Ikpe, from the Government House press center suggests that the government is sensitive to media coverage of the governor’s defection plans.
The development has raised questions about press freedom and the government’s relationship with the media in Akwa Ibom State.
