Presidency Expels German Journalist From Aso Rock For Asking Embarrassing Question

The Nigerian State House Media accreditation was on Monday
withdrawn from a German Radio Deutsche Welle correspondent, Ubale Musa, by
handlers of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Mr. Musa’s accreditation tag was withdrawn by security
operatives attached to the Presidential Villa, for asking a visiting Chadian
President, Idriss Deby, a question they found embarrassing.

Confirming the withdrawal, Mr. Musa said the Chief Security
Officer to the President appears not to be comfortable with the question he
asked the visiting Chadian leader.

Mr.Musa had asked the Chadian President the link between the
troops of the Multi-national Task Force and mercenaries from South Africa that
are currently fighting in the Sambisa forest.

He said the Chadian leader responded that he was not aware
of the presence of mercenaries in Sambisa fighting alongside the multi-national
troops.

Mr. Deby had simply responded that he had no information
concerning any mercenaries from South Africa.

However, shortly after the departure of the visiting
President, Mr. Musa was invited by security operatives and his tag withdrawn.
He was then driven in a vehicle out of the forecourt of the president’s office
through another entry known as *the Service Chiefs’ Gate.

Mr. Musa said he told the operatives that some of his work
tools were still inside the press gallery where journalists usually operate
from. He was then escorted to the gallery where he picked his belongings and
led to where his car was parked.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity,
Reuben Abati, however assured a delegation of State House correspondents that
the matter would be resolved.

As at the time of filing this report, Mr. Musa’s
accreditation had not yet been restored.

Premium Times