By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The Taraba State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents’ Chapel has declared an indefinite boycott of all state government events, citing what it described as a deliberate attempt by the government to sideline and suppress press coverage.
The boycott followed an emergency congress held in Jalingo, during which the union expressed outrage over the exclusion of its members from covering two major events: the recently held Taraba State International Investment Summit (TARAVEST) and the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the state.
In a strongly worded resolution signed by the chapel chairman, Charles Akpaji, the union accused the state government of orchestrating a media blackout to stifle press freedom and undermine transparency.
“This is not just an oversight. It is a calculated move to muzzle the press and deny the people access to credible information about what their leaders are doing,” Akpaji said.
The union further expressed dismay over a statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Zainab Usman Jalingo, suggesting that only accredited journalists were invited for a recent government-organized road walk—an event the Correspondents’ Chapel said it was deliberately excluded from.
In response, the union passed a vote of no confidence in the commissioner, accusing her of complicity in the continuous sidelining of professional journalists in the state.
“Our members have been consistent in their coverage of government activities in good faith, but this continued exclusion and lack of recognition is unacceptable,” the statement read.
Despite the boycott, the union reassured residents of Taraba that it remains committed to its responsibility of holding government accountable and reporting on matters affecting the public.
“We will not allow any form of intimidation or exclusion to derail our constitutional role as the watchdog of society. We owe it to the people to ensure transparency, no matter whose ox is gored,” Akpaji added.