Security operative attached to the Delta State House Of Assembly on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 obstructed Journalists from covering governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s state address.
Journalists from leading national and regional media outlets, including The Punch, The Guardian, Tribune, ThisDay, Champion, Emerald Online, The Story, BusinessDay, Leadership, New Telegraph, ThisDay, Nigerian Pilot and many others were denied entry into the Assembly complex despite arriving as early as 9:30am and presenting valid identification.
The police officer who said he was in charge identified as ASP Saviour David, told the assembled press that they would not be allowed inside, without offering a clear explanation.
“The order came from above,” ASP David said. “If you like, call anybody, nobody will answer you.”
Shockingly, while frontline reporters were denied access, selected individuals not affiliated with the press and a handful of female journalists attached to Government House, were allowed entry, raising questions of bias and selective transparency.
Efforts to reach the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor and the CPS to the Speaker for clarification were unsuccessful, as both officials were unreachable at the time of filing this report.
This blatant exclusion of the press has sparked outrage among journalists and advocates for press freedom, who view it as a troubling attempt to suppress independent reporting and limit public access to state proceedings.
Meanwhile, the Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, officially invited journalists to cover the event, yet security operatives heavily armed blocked journalists from entering the complex premises to carry out their dutiful assignment.
