More facts emerged on the frosty relationship between Kano State government and journalists that led to a boycott of government activities.
Kano Correspondents Chapel have boycotted coverage of all state government activities with immediate effect.
The chapel decried ill-treatment of its members by officials of the state government and its agencies.
Aminu Garko, Chairman of the chapel, in a statement earlier in Kano said the decision followed a series of maltreatments to journalists while carrying out their duties.
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Some people who are conversant with the matter told WikkiTimes that the spokesperson for the state governor, Sanusi Dawakin Tofa, does not have respect for Kano-based journalists.
“During the recent declaring state of emergency in education, Sanusi invited journalists from Lagos and Abuja. But the journalists from the national dailies he invited have their correspondents in Kano. So, since he obviously has disdain for us in Kano, he should be working with those in Lagos and Abuja, ” a member of the chapel said.
Another journalist who works inside the Government House press crew told WikkiTimes in confidence that the Government officials sometimes mistreat journalists and prioritise social media users.
According to a source, Dawakin Tofa’s failure to include Kano journalists in a interview between reinstated emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II and some journalists from Lagos and Abuja did not go well with the chapel.
Some members of the Chapel and other Kano Journalists have tried unsuccessfully to have a chat with the emir.
He said “They prioritize Kwankwasiyya and special reporters (social media users) when it comes to government events than professional journalists.”
WikkiTimes recalled that during last Eid-el-Fitr celebration there was commotion at the Kano State Government House between some government officials and some journalists.
In the same vein, a stray bullet had hit a journalist inside the Government House, but the spokesperson denied it, explaining that it was just a piece of equipment from a renovation site that hit the journalist.
The Chapel chairman added that the boycott will continue until the government shows commitment to the welfare and safety of journalists based in the state.
Attempts to reach Sanusi Dawakin Tofa, who is as the centre of the allegations were not successful as he neither answered a nor replied to messages sent to him.
