PRESS FREEDOM UNDER ATTACK: KANO GOVERNOR URGED TO REIN IN COMMISSIONER OVER JOURNALIST’S ARREST

By Our Correspondent

The Kano Times Editorial Board has issued a strongly worded open letter calling on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to immediately put an end to what it describes as an ongoing assault on press freedom in the state. This comes after the recent arrest and harassment of the editor of Kano Times, Mr. Buhari Abba, allegedly on the orders of Kano State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya.

The incident, which has sparked widespread condemnation, reportedly followed the publication of an article titled “Dear Governor Yusuf, Beware of Kano Information Commissioner Ibrahim Waiya.” The piece raised concerns about the Commissioner’s conduct, but rather than addressing the issues constructively, Waiya allegedly used state security forces to intimidate and detain the journalist.

“This is not just a personal attack on our editor; it is an assault on every journalist and media house committed to truth and accountability,” the Kano Times Editorial Board stated.

Mounting Concerns Over Press Freedom in Kano

Press freedom advocates have decried the incident as a dangerous precedent, warning that it signals a growing intolerance for dissent under Governor Yusuf’s administration. Civil society organizations and international watchdogs have long emphasized that a free press is a cornerstone of democracy, ensuring transparency and holding public officials accountable.

In its open letter, the Kano Times Editorial Board made four key demands:

1. Governor Yusuf must call Commissioner Waiya to order – No government official should abuse state institutions to suppress criticism.

2. Respect for press freedom – Journalists must be allowed to work without fear of intimidation, harassment, or arrest.

3. Immediate release and dropping of charges – The editor must not be criminalized for practicing journalism.

4. A clear commitment to free speech – The governor should publicly reaffirm his stance on press freedom and issue a strong condemnation of attacks on journalists.

Implications for the Governor’s Image

Governor Yusuf, who rode to power on promises of good governance and accountability, now faces a crucial test of his leadership. His administration’s response to this controversy will likely shape public perception and could influence both local and international confidence in his government.

“Silence on this matter will be interpreted as complicity,” the open letter warned. “A government that cannot tolerate scrutiny is a government that has something to hide.”

Observers note that in an era where press freedom is under threat globally, actions like this erode democratic values and create a hostile environment for journalists. The Editorial Board, citing former South African President Nelson Mandela, reminded Governor Yusuf that history judges leaders not by the power they wield but by how they protect the rights of their people.

As pressure mounts, all eyes are now on Governor Yusuf to see whether he will take decisive action to uphold democracy and restore confidence in his administration—or allow the crisis to escalate further.