Rabiu Omaku
Senator Suleiman Asonya Adokwe has called on Journalists in the state to resist the autocratic and tyrannical act of the All Progressives Congress in Nasarawa state.
Recalling the recent demolition of the first private radio station in Lafia (Breeze Fm 99.9) in the Nasarawa State capital and the eviction of some Journalists from government House by governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura as an abuse to Freedom of Information Act.
The chairman Senate committee on Information and National Orientation hinted this when the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists paid him a courtesy call at his abode in Lafia.
The senator representing Nasarawa south in the red chamber described the unfolding as a bad signal to 2019 general election, urging the press in Nasarawa State to resist been caged by those in power.
Calling on the press to join in the ongoing corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He buttressed that the nagging issues at hand of molesting media houses and practitioners is an aberration of the Freedom of Information ACT in the state.
The former commissioner of Information in Nasarawa State during the reign of governor Abdullahi Adamu under the auspices of the PDP says the steps taken by governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura is a steps backward.
Adding that Journalists never had it so difficult during their reign.
“What we are witnessing in Nasarawa State today is facism, recounting the prevention of Journalists from covering Government House Lafia and amongst all forms of treatments meted on Journalists.
He challenged the press to remind firm, and should hold those in government accountable by asking relevant questions and should indulge in analysis of the situation.
“i was a commissioner for Information for three years and we introduce accountability forum which was a platform to hold the state government accountable for all its activities.
“We are in a situation whereby people are no longer allowed to express their views and opinion”.
Senator Adokwe commended the new crop of executive of the Correspondents’ Chapel for the successful conduct of election and promised to work side by side with the Chapel at all times.
The Chairman of the Chapel, Suleiman Abubakar appreciates the un-relentless effort of Senator Adokwe for carrying all and sundry along.
He also applauded the senator for investing heavily on the education sector especially in the area of scholarship, Empowerment and amongst others.
The former secretary of the state Council, Abdullahi Shuaibu in a vote of thanks eulogized senator Adokwe for been a media friendly politician recounting the cordial working relationship between the then governments when Adokwe was the Information commissioner.
“We will never had it so good like during your reign that we experience free flow of information”
The state secretary of the APC, Aliyu Bello could not be reach for comment.
