Journalists Barred From Tinubu’s Democracy Day Address At National Assembly Despite Accreditation

Journalists accredited to cover Thursday’s joint session of the National Assembly were barred from accessing the chamber where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was scheduled to deliver his Democracy Day address.

The president’s speech, part of events marking June 12 celebrations, was expected at noon. However, despite holding valid accreditation, reporters from several prominent news outlets were denied entry into the designated press gallery by security personnel.

Officers from the Department of State Services (DSS), the Sergeant-at-Arms, and other operatives manning the gate insisted that only individuals with “special accreditation” could access the chamber.

Media organizations affected by the restriction include The Guardian, Vanguard, TVC News, Punch, News Central, The Nation, ITV, and others.

While journalists were locked out, numerous aides, politicians, and individuals without any known official roles were allowed entry.

Security officials directed reporters to watch the proceedings via television screens at the National Assembly media centre, a move many members of the press corps condemned as an attack on press freedom and a deliberate attempt to limit coverage of a key national event.