News
Enemies of press freedom: Why IPI recorded Egbetokun, Bago, Eno in its Black Book
The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria has defended its decision to blacklist Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, and Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun in its new Nigeria Book of Infamy—a public registry documenting officials who undermine press freedom.
The names were unveiled on December 2 at the 2025 IPI Nigeria Conference and AGM in Abuja, where Vice President Kashim Shettima and Information Minister Mohammed Idris formally launched the book.
IPI said the initiative aims to hold state actors accountable for actions that intimidate journalists or violate constitutionally protected media rights.
IPI Nigeria President, Musikilu Mojeed, announced that the first set of entries would include the two governors and the police chief, citing their “repeated excesses against the media” despite multiple attempts at constructive engagement.
In a detailed statement released Thursday, the institute outlined the violations that led to their inclusion.
IPI Nigeria accused Governor Bago of overseeing persistent attacks on journalists and media organisations in Niger State.
The most blatant, it said, was the shutdown of Badegi 90.1 FM in Minna on August 1, 2025.
During an APC meeting, Bago reportedly ordered the Commissioner for Homeland Security and the Commissioner of Police to seal the station and profile its owner over alleged criticism of his administration.
IPI condemned the action on August 3 and attempted dialogue with the state government, but said its efforts were ignored.
Although public pressure forced the reopening of the station, the institute said harassment of journalists in the state continued.
A United States-based political advisory and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, has warned that Washington cannot afford to allow any attempt to manipulate Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
The firm made the statement in a post on its verified X account on Thursday, September 24, while raising fresh allegations about the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Von Batten-Montague-York alleged that there was growing concern across Nigeria’s political divide over what it described as corruption within the federal government.
The firm also alleged that Tinubu appointed an individual as the minister responsible for the nation’s budget despite claims it attributed to the United States Department of Justice concerning the person’s alleged involvement in the embezzlement of billions of dollars from Nigeria’s treasury during a previous administration.
However, the firm did not provide further details or evidence in its latest post to substantiate the allegation.
On the 2027 election, the firm said the United States had a significant interest in ensuring that Nigeria conducts a credible and peaceful electoral process.
“The US cannot afford to allow President Tinubu to rig the upcoming Nigerian election,” the firm stated.
It further alleged that what it described as “lawlessness” in Nigeria could place the country on a trajectory similar to developments witnessed in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
“Free and fair elections in Nigeria are essential to protecting US interests in Nigeria and the broader region,” it added.
Background
The latest statement is part of a series of interventions by Von Batten-Montague-York on Nigeria’s political affairs ahead of the 2027 elections.
Earlier this month, the firm alleged that the Tinubu administration was seeking to influence the 2027 presidential election through state institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, the judiciary and law-enforcement agencies. The firm did not provide independently verified evidence for those claims in the statement cited at the time.
The firm’s political activities in Nigeria have also attracted attention because it was hired by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar under a lobbying agreement filed with the US Department of Justice. TheCable reported in September that the contract was valued at $1.2 million for 12 months and was intended, among other objectives, to strengthen Atiku’s standing in Washington and counter narratives associated with the Nigerian government.
That background is relevant to the latest statement because it shows that the firm’s comments on Nigeria’s political environment come from an organisation that has been engaged in advocacy on behalf of a major political figure preparing for the 2027 contest.
The firm’s statement should therefore be distinguished from an official position of the US government. There is no indication in the cited report that Washington has announced a policy to intervene in Nigeria’s 2027 election or accused Tinubu of planning to rig the poll. The claims about election manipulation and corruption remain allegations made by Von Batten-Montague-York.
With Nigeria’s 2027 general elections approaching, electoral integrity, the independence of state institutions and the role of international partners are expected to remain major issues in the country’s political debate.
The Apo- Karshi road project was awarded in 2011, and abandoned for over a decade.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, was there a few minutes ago to see things for himself.
Four teenage passengers, all girls, have died after a boat conveying eight people capsized at Dudduru Pond, about three kilometres from Kwadige Village in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The incident occurred at about 4:00 pm on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, while the passengers were travelling from Kwadige Village to Chai Chai Sabuwa Market.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Jigawa State Command, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Thursday by its Public Relations Officer, ASC Badruddeen Tijjani Mahmud.
According to the NSCDC, preliminary information indicated that strong winds might have caused the boat to capsize.
The four victims were identified as 13-year-old Hasiya Mu’azu, 13-year-old Hauwa Lawan, 12-year-old Fatima Lawan and 13-year-old Dawsiyya Lawan.
The statement said, “Sadly, four passengers, all females, lost their lives in the incident, while the remaining four passengers were successfully rescued.”
The four survivors were rescued by farmers working around the pond when the incident occurred.
The NSCDC said the bodies of the four victims were later buried according to Islamic rites.
The State Commandant, CC Muhammad Ingawa, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and the people of Kwadige over the tragedy.
He urged communities that depend on boats for transportation to exercise caution when travelling on waterways, particularly during strong winds and adverse weather conditions.
The Commandant also called on boat operators and passengers to observe basic water-safety measures and avoid travelling in conditions capable of putting lives at risk.
US Lobbying Firm Warns Against Alleged Attempt to Rig Nigeria’s 2027 Election
OF TEEJAY YUSUF, KOGI WEST SENATORIAL DISTRICT, AND RESPONSIVE SERVANTHOOD
Video: Apo-Karshi road getting required finishing touches
-
News21 hours agoPhotos: Tinubu has redefined infrastructure delivery in FCT – Wike
-
Politics20 hours agoKwankwaso Blames Tinubu’s Fuel Subsidy Removal for Nigeria’s Economic Crisis
-
Economy23 hours agoSee Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, September 23, 2026
-
News22 hours agoPolice Officer Allegedly Caught on Video Making Ethnic Remarks Against Peter Obi
-
News10 hours agoEFCC declares Abdulrashhed Maina wanted
-
News20 hours agoIranian Children Return to School After Months of War Disruption as New Academic Year Begins