Several journalists were denied access to the Delta State House of Assembly on Wednesday, where Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was scheduled to deliver a state address.
Security personnel at the Assembly complex cited orders from the Speaker, Mr. Guwor Emomotimi, as the reason for the restriction.
Despite arriving at the venue around 9:30 a.m. and presenting official identification, reporters from media outlets including PUNCH, Guardian, Tribune, ThisDay, Champion, New Telegraph, Leadership, Emerald Online, and others were not permitted to enter.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Saviour David, who was in charge of the main gate, remained firm on the directive. “The order is from the Speaker and the authority.
If you like, call anybody—nobody will answer you,” he reportedly told a PUNCH correspondent.
Although some members of the public and the Government House crew were granted entry, repeated appeals to allow journalists into the premises were denied.
Attempts to contact the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Festus Ahon, and the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr. Nkem Nweke, for clarification or intervention were unsuccessful, as their phone lines were unreachable by 11:30 a.m.
A senior government official who later arrived at the scene criticized the actions of the security personnel, describing the incident as an overreach. “It was an overzealous act not to allow journalists into the Assembly complex.
Even if entry into the chamber was restricted, they should have been allowed within the premises,” he said, noting that the directive did not originate from the governor.