The Imo State Government has dismissed a recent report by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), which described the state as one of the most dangerous environments for journalists in Nigeria, labeling it as false, biased, and unreliable.
In a press statement, the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation, and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, also criticized the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for endorsing the CJID report. The PDP had previously issued a statement condemning Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration based on the report’s findings.
Emelumba accused the PDP of “crass ignorance” for hastily supporting the CJID’s claims without verifying their credibility. He described the CJID as lacking the pedigree and logistical capacity to conduct a credible assessment of press freedom in Nigeria, alleging that the group relies on sensationalism and unverified opposition-driven submissions.
“This is a body that has shown zero capacity to execute evidence-driven assessments of media practice in the country,” Emelumba stated. “Their report failed to adhere to the minimum standard of research, relying instead on hearsay and submissions from opposition elements to tarnish the image of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration.”
The Commissioner challenged the report’s claims of denial of access to information, intimidation, and harassment of journalists, asserting that Imo State is one of the safest and most media-friendly states in Nigeria. He noted that no government officials were consulted for the report, calling this a violation of basic journalistic standards.
“I can bet you that no one was sent to Imo State for any survey on the subject matter. They entirely relied on secondary information cooked up by the opposition,” Emelumba said. He added that the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) could attest to the administration’s accessibility and support for journalists.
Emelumba highlighted Governor Uzodimma’s initiatives to support the media, including donating buses to the NUJ State Council, the Correspondents’ Chapel, and the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ). The governor has also instituted a journalism award to promote ethical reporting and appointed journalists to high-level positions, including the current Head of Service.
The Commissioner further noted that the administration has established multiple channels for information dissemination through local liaison officers and communication aides, ensuring robust media engagement.
Emelumba criticized the PDP for amplifying what he called a “flawed report” to score political points, stating that the state government would no longer take the party seriously. He urged the public to disregard the CJID report, describing it as “jaundiced, unreliable, and absolutely misleading.”
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