Media Barred From N’Assembly Chamber Ahead Of Tinubu’s Speech

Journalists accredited to cover proceedings at the National Assembly were denied access on Thursday to the chamber where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was scheduled to address a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives, part of the events marking Democracy Day.

The president’s Democracy Day address was set to take place at noon as one of the highlights of the June 12 celebrations.

Despite holding valid accreditation tags, reporters representing several major media outlets were blocked from entering the designated press gallery by security officials stationed at the entrance.

Security operatives, including personnel from the Department of State Services (DSS), the Sergeant-at-Arms, and other enforcement agents at the gate, insisted that access was limited to those with “special accreditation.”

Media houses affected by the restriction included The Guardian, Vanguard, TVC News, Punch, News Central, The Nation, and ITV, among others.

While credentialed journalists were kept outside, several politicians, aides, and individuals without official roles in the event were reportedly allowed into the chamber without issue.

Journalists were instead instructed by security officers to monitor the proceedings from the National Assembly’s media center via television screens.

Members of the press corps condemned the restriction, describing it as an infringement on press freedom and “a deliberate attempt to limit media coverage of a significant national event.”