President Federal Republic of Nigeria
On March 12, 2018, the Presidency barred correspondents of some media houses from covering President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Makurdi, Benue State.
Only correspondents from seven media houses: News Agency of Nigeria, Daily Sun, Voice of Nigeria, Daily Trust, Leadership, The Guardian and Daily Independent, out of the about 30 correspondents from various media organisations operating in the state were allowed to cover the President’s visit.
The Punch correspondent, who went to the Benue State Government House to cover the visit, was told that his medium was not accredited for the event.
The Punch newspapers disclosed that checks conducted by it revealed that a directive emanated from the Presidency demanding that the number of media organisations to cover the visit be restricted to seven.
Operatives of the Directorate of State Services (DSS) took over security affairs of the visit.
