The Concerned Northern Media Practitioners (CONMEP) has condemned Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, for allegedly attempting to gag the media.
According to a statement by CONMEP Chairman, AbdulAzeez Ahmed-Kadir and Secretary, Andrew Ibrahim Mshelia, the group said Matawalle used a proxy to secure a court order in Bichi, Kano State, aimed at silencing journalists reporting on sensitive issues.
The statement read: “We, the Concerned Northern Media Practitioners (CONMEP), condemn the recent attempt by Minister of State Defence and former Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Muhammed, Mutawallen Maradun, to gag the media. This move, orchestrated through a proxy and a court in Bichi, Kano State, undermines the constitutional role of the media as enshrined in Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution.
“Nigeria’s democratic journey has been shaped by the media’s tireless efforts to promote good governance, transparency and accountability. Journalists and media practitioners have made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the survival of democracy.
“Minister Matawalle’s actions raise serious concerns. By targeting Shu’aibu Mungadi, of Vision Media Services and Dr. Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan, of Liberty Radio/Television, among others, Matawalle seeks to stifle critical reporting. Ironically, these same issues have been widely covered by national dailies, radios, and televisions.
“We urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call Minister Matawalle to order, safeguarding democracy from those undermining the media’s constitutional role. The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice must ensure judges are not exploited for selfish purposes, protecting the Judiciary’s integrity. The Minister of Information and National Orientation must safeguard the media from intimidation, harassment, and international ridicule.
According to CONMEP, “Today’s target may be Vision and Liberty, but tomorrow it could be any media outlet. We must stand united against attempts to silence the press. Democracy demands nothing less.
“We feel strongly that if Matawalle, as Defence Minister (State), had his way, the military would be shutting down media houses for doing their job, like we saw in recent past with Media Trust that the military invaded their premises, confiscated prints, equipment and hindered their operations.
“Ironically, the issues Matawalle is seeking the court to stop Shu’aibu Mungadi and Dr. Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan and others from reporting have been reported by many national dailies, radios and televisions. Why single-out the two and their media outfits.
Similarly, some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) interest group APC A?ida Forum have protested at the headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS), demanding an investigation of Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, over same issues of alleged links with bandits. In a statement, the groups chairperson, Musa Mahmud, called on the DSS to investigate, to save millions of Nigerians and safeguard the integrity of President Bola Tinubu and security agencies.
“This followed an earlier call by the Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal, who urged the same Matawalle to resign from his ministerial position to clear his name. Gov. Lawal accused the former governor and his predecessor of keeping terrorists at the Government House, alleging that ransom was paid to terrorists through the Government.
“Governor Lawal said he ‘reported the minister’ to the National Security Adviser and President Tinubu and presented some facts to them. No gain-saying that the notorious and ‘wanted bandit leader, Bello Turji in several videos also made allusion to complicity of Matawalle in the insecurity ravaging the North-West region, especially Zamfara State. So, is the Governor justifying all the above allegations by attempts to gag the media using the Judiciary?”
With these mounting allegations, CONMEP insists that any attempt to silence the press will be resisted, as a free media is essential to democracy.
The group emphasised the crucial role of the media in safeguarding democracy, noting that journalists have paid the ultimate price to ensure transparency and accountability in Nigeria.
