The federal government, yesterday, debunked media reports that it was denying accreditation to foreign journalists to come for the coverage of this month’s general elections, describing such speculation as false.
The Federal Ministry of Information, which made the denial in a press release by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, asserted that the ministry viewed the claim as a deliberate ploy by some politicians to smear the image of the government ahead of the elections.
The release reads in parts: “In line with the mandate of the Federal Ministry of Information to create media access to report on the activities of the federal government, it has so far processed 300 applications from foreign journalists to secure visa and come into the country for the elections.
“Hundreds of other applications received by the ministry are being processed at the moment.
“Those who could not secure their visas from Nigerian embassies abroad probably did not follow the due process to secure the accreditation.
“The Federal Ministry of Information therefore appeals to foreign journalists wishing to come into the country to cover the elections to follow the due process in securing the accreditation including the presentation of official correspondence from their organizations,” it stated.
Yemi-Esan, who required foreign journalists interested in covering the elections to apply online using the email address epd@nigeria.gov.ng, enjoined members of public to disregard the report which she said, was false and mischievous.
DAILY POST recalls that an African correspondent for The Globe and Mail publications based in South Africa, had alleged using his twitter handle that many foreign reporters like him are being prevented by the Nigerian government from getting visas to come and cover the February elections.
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