The Kano State Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has dismissed allegations that he ordered the arrest of two journalists for publishing a defamatory article against him.
He clarified while speaking at a Ramadan Iftar event for journalists, stakeholders, and veterans he organized in collaboration with the Kano State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Comrade Waiya explained that associates of his had filed a formal complaint with the police, leading to invitations, not arrests, of the authors of the alleged defamatory publication.
“They were invited, not arrested. To my surprise, many people misled the public with fake headlines. Neither of the two individuals invited stayed more than two hours at the police station, and they were granted bail. I was not aware; I was not there,” he stated.
He also criticized Amnesty International’s involvement in the matter, claiming they acted without proper information.
“Later on, Amnesty International came into the matter without being duly informed of what happened. They don’t know anything. They jumped to the conclusion that I ordered the Kano Commissioner of Police to arrest two persons after they defamed my character,” Waiya said.
Comrade Waiya asserted his right to seek legal recourse as a Nigerian citizen. “Some people want to give it a name. Before I was appointed commissioner, I want to remind you that I am a human being, a Nigerian. I have a right as a Nigerian.
“Does that mean a journalist has a right to defame any person? Does a journalist have immunity to attack people’s personalities?” he questioned.
He further declared his commitment to journalism, stating, “I want to tell you that as Commissioner of Information, I am a journalist, whether you like it or not.
“I have enrolled in a journalism certificate program, and I will soon obtain a certificate in journalism.”
Addressing calls for his removal, Comrade Waiya affirmed his position, stating, “Nobody will force the Kano Governor to sack me.
He did not seek your advice when he decided to appoint me. I am used to this kind of criticism. You can take my name everywhere, but I assure you I am focused and firm.”
Comrade attributed the controversy to political motivations aimed at tarnishing his reputation and expressed his readiness to face any challenges.
The Commissioner said: “This is nothing but politically motivated to spoil my name. I am ready to face any challenge about this.”
He then emphasized his commitment to improving journalism in Kano. “I will do my best to bring sanity into Kano journalism,” he said.
Kano NUJ, as the mother union of all journalism associations, has a role to bring sanity. There is a need to have a strong disciplinary committee in NUJ to create a mechanism for punishing erring members to have a vibrant and sanitized journalism community in Kano,” he urged.
