The Presidency has reduced the number of media houses and reporters covering the seat of power, Aso Villa.
Attah Esa, Deputy Director Information, made the announcement in a statement Tuesday night.
Esa said it was due to the current restriction in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) against gathering of not more than 50 persons at the same time at any venue.
The statement explained that it was also to be able to maintain social distancing following the spread of coronavirus.
“It has become imperative to drastically review down the presence of the over 100 State House Correspondents who usually rendezvous in the Press Briefing Room in the Presidential Villa during this period since all other departments have scaled down the presence of their staff.
“Accordingly, only the under listed correspondents are to enter the Villa for media coverage of any event beginning from Wednesday, March 25, 2020 until further notice as the Covid-19 incidence will dictate.”
Those permitted are the Chairman, SH Press Corps; the crew of NTA, Channels TV, TVC, FRCN and; the reporters of VON, NAN and The Sun.
Others are photographers of ThisDay, Leadership, Daily Trust, Guardian and Vanguard.
The statement advised media affected not represented in the list to liaise with those listed for necessary information/news as well as the Information Officers in the President’s Media Office.
However, a look at the list of media houses given permission to cover activities at the seat of power, reviewed the total exclusion of critical media from the coverage of the power base of Nigeria at this critical period in the history of the Country.
This has helped to fuel insinuation that the Government of Nigeria is out for a cover up in the management of the Corona virus pandemic in Nigeria.
Just recently, the Chief of Staff in the Presidency Abba Kyari was reported to have tested positive for Corona virus, while President Mohammed Buhari tested negative, even as a section of the media is speculating that the president is very sick.
