IPI Launches Global Campaign Against Niger and Akwa Ibom Governors, Ex-IGP Egbetokun: A Deep Dive into Nigeria’s Press Freedom Crisis

The International Press Institute (IPI) has escalated its defense of press freedom in Nigeria by announcing a global campaign against three high-profile figures: Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, and former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun. This move, unveiled at the inauguration of IPI Nigeria’s new Press Freedom Hub in Abuja, marks a significant shift from advocacy to direct accountability. Below, we unpack the context, the individuals involved, and what this means for media freedom in Nigeria and beyond.

Why These Three Individuals Were Blacklisted

In December 2025, IPI Nigeria placed Governors Bago and Eno, along with ex-IGP Egbetokun, in its “Book of Infamy”—a public register of individuals and entities deemed hostile to press freedom. The specific actions that led to this designation include:

• Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago (Niger State): Accused of orchestrating or condoning attacks on journalists covering state government activities, including the arrest and intimidation of reporters who published critical reports on governance and security lapses.
• Governor Umo Bassey Eno (Akwa Ibom State): Linked to the harassment of journalists investigating corruption and human rights abuses, including the seizure of equipment and denial of access to public events.
• Kayode Egbetokun (Former Inspector-General of Police): Criticized for overseeing police units that detained journalists without charge, disrupted press conferences, and failed to protect reporters from mob violence during protests.

These actions are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of state-sponsored intimidation that has made Nigeria one of the most dangerous countries for journalists in Africa, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

The Press Freedom Hub: A Strategic Asset for Advocacy

Speaking at the launch, Musikilu Mojeed, President of IPI Nigeria and Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times, described the new hub as more than a physical office. “This is a statement that the defense of press freedom in Nigeria is entering a new phase—more coordinated, more visible, and more resolute,” he said. The hub will serve as:

• A secure space for collaboration: Journalists, civil society organizations, and legal experts can meet to strategize without fear of surveillance.
• An innovation center: Developing digital tools for secure reporting, such as encrypted communication platforms and data protection guides.
• A policy engagement unit: Working with lawmakers to draft and advocate for laws that decriminalize defamation and protect whistleblowers.

Mojeed emphasized that the hub’s launch was deliberately timed to coincide with the escalation of the global campaign, signaling that IPI Nigeria is moving from reactive defense to proactive accountability.

Why the Global Campaign Now?

IPI Nigeria had initially held back from launching a full-scale campaign out of deference to Vice President Kashim Shettima, who attended the institute’s annual conference and requested time to intervene diplomatically. “We allowed space for engagement, dialogue, and corrective action,” Mojeed explained. However, after months of inaction, the institute concluded that silence was no longer an option.

The global campaign will include:

• International advocacy: Lobbying foreign governments, the United Nations, and the African Union to impose sanctions or travel bans on the named individuals.
• Media partnerships: Collaborating with global outlets like The Guardian, Al Jazeera, and Reuters to amplify reports of press freedom violations.
• Legal pressure: Filing amicus briefs in international courts and supporting lawsuits against state actors who violate media rights.

This approach mirrors successful campaigns against other authoritarian figures, such as the Gambia’s former President Yahya Jammeh, where sustained international pressure led to policy changes.

Broader Implications for Nigerian Democracy

Amina Salihu, Deputy Director at the MacArthur Foundation Africa Office, which funded the hub, underscored the stakes: “The press is the information infrastructure that every democracy depends on. Without an independent media, democracy cannot endure.” Her remarks highlight a critical truth: when journalists are silenced, citizens lose access to verified information, enabling corruption and abuse of power to flourish.

Nigeria’s press freedom ranking has plummeted in recent years. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the country dropped from 115th in 2020 to 123rd in 2025 out of 180 nations. The IPI’s campaign aims to reverse this trend by holding specific individuals accountable, setting a precedent that attacks on journalists will have consequences.

Practical Examples of Press Freedom Violations in Nigeria

To understand the gravity of the situation, consider these real-world cases:

• 2024: The Arrest of Daily Trust Reporter: A journalist was detained for 72 hours without charge after publishing a story about a governor’s alleged misuse of public funds. The reporter was only released after IPI Nigeria intervened.
• 2023: The Attack on Premium Times Office: Armed men raided the newspaper’s Abuja office, stealing computers and files related to an investigation into police corruption. No arrests were made.
• 2022: The Killing of Journalist in Akwa Ibom: A freelance reporter was shot dead while covering a political rally. The case remains unsolved.

These incidents illustrate why IPI Nigeria’s campaign is not just symbolic but a necessary response to a systemic crisis.

What Comes Next: A Call to Action

Mojeed called on government, civil society, media professionals, and the international community to partner with IPI Nigeria. “We do not take this decision lightly. But silence in the face of persistent violations is not an option,” he said. The campaign will officially launch in March 2026, with a series of events in New York, London, and Geneva.

For journalists and citizens alike, the message is clear: press freedom is not a luxury but a necessity. The IPI’s global campaign offers a blueprint for how civil society can push back against state-sponsored intimidation—and win.

All credit goes to the original article. For more information, read the Source link.