Gladness Gideon
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has denied claims that he ordered the dismissal of Channels Television correspondent Chris Mofatt and his cameraman from the Government House Press Corps over a viral video, clarifying that the decision was routine and not politically motivated.
The controversy began after a video clip, recorded by the Channels TV crew, surfaced online showing Governor Eno warning political appointees to align with a potential defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The footage sparked public outcry and allegations of media repression when the crew was reportedly removed from their assignment.
However, while speaking during the commissioning of the upgraded 14.8km Ikot Ubo-Odot Road linking Nsit Ubium and Nsit Atai local government areas, Governor Eno refuted the allegations. He stated that the reassignment of the Channels TV crew was not punitive but fell within standard administrative protocol.
“I think it’s within the purview of the Chief Press Secretary to change correspondents within the Government House. It is practised all over the world. If you have served at a post for up to 10 years and the CPS decides to ask for a replacement, that is not a fight,” the governor said.
He emphasized that the decision did not originate from his office directly, adding, “The governor does not even have to know. So there is no problem. This afternoon, Channels is here beaming us live. We work with all media houses.”
Despite the clarification, internal sources at the Government House reportedly indicated that the decision was triggered by the viral circulation of the governor’s political statement.
READ ALSO: A’Ibom Gov Umo Eno to Cabinet: Defect With Me to APC or Resign
“The Channels TV cameraman let out the video and all hell was let loose as it went viral. The CPS was angry that it was supposed to be an in-house thing and the governor was livid,” one source disclosed.
Reacting to the controversy, human rights lawyer and activist, Inibehe Effiong, criticized the administration’s actions.
“This is the man who calls himself a Pastor. He announced his intention to defect, but he is pissed that Channels TV published a video of his announcement,” Effiong said.
“Channels could not have recorded the meeting secretly. If you are proud of your planned defection, why are you targeting the media for doing its job?”
The incident continues to spark debate on press freedom and transparency in governance, with civil society groups urging public officials to uphold the rights of the media as enshrined in Nigeria’s democratic constitution.