On Thursday, accredited journalists were denied access to the National Assembly chamber where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was scheduled to speak during a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives. The address was part of events marking this year’s Democracy Day celebration.
Despite holding valid accreditation, reporters from major media houses, including Vanguard, The Guardian, Punch, TVC News, News Central, The Nation, and ITV, were stopped at the entrance to the press gallery. Security officers from the Department of State Services (DSS), Sergeant-at-Arms, and other operatives blocked entry, insisting that only individuals with a separate “special accreditation” could attend the session.
While members of the press were locked out, several aides, politicians, and others not officially involved in the event were allowed into the chamber. Security personnel advised journalists to watch the proceedings from television screens at the National Assembly’s media centre.
The action has sparked criticism from members of the press corps, who described the incident as a breach of press freedom and an attempt to limit public access to an important national event. President Tinubu’s speech was scheduled for delivery at noon as part of the June 12 commemorations.
