An alleged altercation between an aide to Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State and a journalist at the Argungu Motor Rally has sparked controversy, with the journalist threatening legal action if no formal apology is issued.
The incident reportedly occurred at the Race Course in Kano during the Argungu Motor Rally, organized as part of activities marking the 61st Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival.
The government official involved was identified as Auwal Sani Rogo, a Senior Special Reporter with the Kano State Government, while the journalist is Abdulbaki Ali Ahmed Sharifai, who was covering the event in his professional capacity.
Eyewitnesses said the alleged verbal exchange occurred shortly after Sharifai and other journalists conducted an interview at the venue.
The incident reportedly took place in the presence of senior government officials, including the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya; the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Aisha Lawan Saji Rano; and the Chairman of the Kano State Censorship Board, Abba El-Mustapha.
Sharifai subsequently reported the matter at the Divisional Police Office, Bompai, headquarters of the Kano State Police Command, lodging a formal complaint over alleged insults, harassment, and intimidation while performing his lawful duties.
Sources close to the journalist alleged that Rogo did not honor a police invitation regarding the matter.
It was also gathered that Commissioner Waiya later invited Sharifai for dialogue and assured him of his intervention to ensure an amicable resolution.
However, as of the time of filing this report, no official apology or formal communication had been issued by Rogo, the Kano State Government, or the Office of the Special Advisers to Gov. Yusuf.
A source said Sharifai believes that pursuing legal action might be appropriate if the matter remains unresolved, maintaining that he was performing his professional duties at the time of the alleged incident.
The development has generated reactions within media circles, with stakeholders emphasizing the need to uphold professionalism and respect for journalists at public events.
Recall that Governor Yusuf pledged to continue upholding press freedom and ensuring the welfare of journalists in the state.
The Director-General of Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa, gave the assurance at a Tea Break session organized by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists last year.
“Contrary to allegations of media harassment in Kano, Governor Yusuf remains the most media-friendly governor, as attested by a series of awards conferred on him by media professionals,” Dawakin-Tofa said.
He dismissed insinuations that journalists in the state are being intimidated under Yusuf’s administration.
The governor’s spokesperson insisted that his principal continues to give journalists adequate freedom to perform their constitutional responsibilities as members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm.
As of press time, neither Rogo nor the Kano State Government had issued an official statement on the matter.
