Buhari disowns CSO over expulsion of Punch Reporter

President Muhammadu Buhari has dissociated himself from the action of his Chief Security Officer, CSO, Bashir Abubakar in expelling The Punch correspondent, Olalekan Adetayo from the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday. This was made known through the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina.


Adetayo’s accreditation was withdrawn by the CSO on Monday over a story which bothered on the health of President Buhari. Reacting to the development, Adesina in a tweet said his office was not consulted by the CSO.

Buhari’s spokesman said that the president was still committed to press freedom in Nigeria. “We weren’t consulted in the media office by the CSO before he expelled The Punch reporter. President Buhari is committed to press freedom.

“An amicable solution would be found to The Punch reporter matter. President Buhari does not intend to muzzle the media in any way”, he twitted.

Confirming the development , Adetayo said that the CSO summoned him Monday afternoon and asked him to tender a statement over the story he co-authored, published on Sunday edition of The Punch. But at the verge of presenting the statement, his Identity Card was confiscated as he was escorted out of the premises.

Meanwhile, the incident is seen by many to be a betrayal of Buhari’s promise in upholding Press Freedom.

Recall that the president had upon assumption of office retrieved the accreditation of Mr. Ubale Musa, a DutchWalle correspondent who faced a similar circumstance at the twilights of former President Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2015.