• Press Corps decry restriction as infringement on media freedom
Journalists accredited to cover the National Assembly were on Wednesday barred from accessing the chamber where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was scheduled to address a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives as part of the Democracy Day celebrations.
EBS Abuja Correspondent Henrietta Momodu reports that the President is expected to deliver his Democracy Day speech at 12 noon in line with events marking the June 12 commemoration.
Despite holding valid accreditation tags, several reporters from major media organisations were denied access to the gallery—the designated press area—due to a last-minute directive from the National Assembly Management.
Security personnel, including officers of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Sergeant-at-Arms, and other operatives stationed at the entrance, insisted that only individuals with “special accreditation” would be permitted to cover the session.
While members of the press were redirected to monitor the event from the National Assembly press centre, several politicians, aides, and individuals without clear official roles were seen entering the chamber unimpeded.
Members of the National Assembly Press Corps have condemned the development, describing it as a deliberate attempt to restrict media access and coverage of a major national event.
“This is an outright infringement on press freedom and a concerning attempt to limit transparency at a significant democratic event,” one senior journalist remarked.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official explanation from the National Assembly authorities regarding the exclusion of accredited journalists.
