Imo State in southeastern Nigeria has been ranked as the country’s most hostile environment for journalists, according to a new report that has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders against Governor Hope Uzodinma’s administration. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the findings as a damning indictment of governance under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing systemic suppression of press freedom and deteriorating transparency.
The report, released by the Abuja-based Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID), assessed media conditions across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory as part of its State of Press Freedom in Nigeria study. Imo scored a dismal 40.7% in the “openness index,” placing last nationally due to alleged repression, intimidation of journalists, and obstruction by state authorities. The findings highlight concerns over shrinking democratic space in a region already grappling with insecurity and poverty.
Lancelot Obiaku, spokesperson for the PDP in Imo, condemned the ranking as emblematic of what he called Governor Uzodinma’s “cruel regime,” accusing the administration of authoritarianism and abuse of power. “This report exposes a government determined to silence criticism and hide its failures through fear tactics,” Obiaku stated in a press release. He argued that Imo, once viewed as a promising state, now ranks at the “base of all good governance indicators,” including accountability and transparency.
The PDP further linked restricted press access to broader accusations of corruption and administrative incompetence, alleging that Uzodinma’s administration has “mired the state in regression.” Quoting the party’s statement, Obiaku added: “A stagnant state ravaged by insecurity and poverty, these [reports] remind Imo people of their pain under a clueless and insensitive government.”
CJID’s research echoes longstanding criticism from media advocacy groups over threats to Nigeria’s press freedom, including harassment, arbitrary arrests, and restrictive laws. While federal authorities have faced international scrutiny for such issues, the report underscores how state-level actors increasingly contribute to these challenges.
The PDP urged Uzodinma’s government to address the concerns by enacting legal safeguards for journalists and fostering a media-friendly environment. “Press freedom isn’t a luxury—it’s a cornerstone of democracy,” Obiaku emphasized, calling for reforms to reverse Imo’s reputation as Nigeria’s “most dangerous” landscape for journalism.
Neither Governor Uzodinma nor APC representatives have publicly responded to the report or the PDP’s allegations. The silence amplifies worries among press freedom advocates, who warn that stifling media independence could deepen public distrust in institutions and hinder accountability efforts amid Nigeria’s multifaceted governance crises.
