Governor Nasir Idris: Treating the Press as a Pillar, Not a Pest

By Ibrahim A. Jombali 

Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria, May 4, 2026(Series News Online)-Globally, the relationship between governments and the media is often fraught with tension. In Africa, this dynamic frequently swings between cautious accommodation and open antagonism. In such a climate, restraint in the exercise of power becomes exceptional.  

For this reason, the 2026 International Press Freedom Day serves as more than an annual moment of concern. It presents an opportunity to acknowledge jurisdictions where the press is regarded not as an irritant to be contained, but as an institution worthy of regard. 

That kind of equilibrium exists only when a leader understands the media’s constitutional role and views journalists as partners in development rather than obstacles. Kebbi State, Nigeria’s rapidly advancing state of equity, provides one such example. 

In an era where many governors equate criticism with conspiracy, the situation in Kebbi State is distinct. Governor Nasir Idris has chosen a different course. His approach is notable, not for spectacle, but for its quiet consistency.  

“There have been no midnight arrests of journalists in this state,” a senior editor in Birnin Kebbi noted. “No crude attempts to misuse regulatory bodies. No knee-jerk reactions disguised as policy. What we see instead is something uncommon: a recognition that scrutiny is not sedition.” 

This does not imply that Kebbi State has achieved absolute freedom of expression. No government has. Yet governance, like character, is most visible when tested. In Kebbi, incidents that elsewhere might provoke repression have been handled with restraint. Critical reporting has not been treated as a crime, and dissent has not been diagnosed as disloyalty. The press operates not as a praise choir, but as a necessary check. 

“Kauran Gwandu has shown he is indeed a labour leader,” said Ibrahim Abubakar Jombali, Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment and Orientation. “He understands that progress requires accountability.” 

The posture is not simply benevolent; it is pragmatic. Administrations that uphold press independence often govern more effectively, because they are forced to confront facts as they emerge. A free press functions as an alarm system, identifying policy gaps before they become emergencies. It also builds credibility. Citizens trust governments that accept oversight more than those that demand endorsement. 

Governor Idris clearly grasps this reality. His administration’s dealings with the media have been defined by composure rather than defensiveness. It reflects a conviction that governance can withstand questioning.  

“This is not weakness,” Jombali added. “It is institutional maturity.” 

When set against Nigeria’s wider landscape, Kebbi’s stance is instructive. Though the law guarantees press freedom, many journalists still face harassment, intimidation, and legal threats. Against that backdrop, Kebbi’s measured, rights-based approach appears almost countercultural. 

There is a broader significance as well. By protecting fundamental rights, Kebbi contributes to a critical but underappreciated process: embedding constitutionalism at the state level. Federal protections ring hollow if states do not uphold them in practice. In this regard, Kebbi is not only respecting the press; it is affirming that rights are not discretionary or subject to political expediency. 

“Kaura believes the real test of this commitment is its endurance,” Jombali said. “Respect for the press must hold during routine administration and during political strain, elections, controversies, and economic downturns. It must remain when the headlines are harsh and the editorials are sharp.” 

If Kebbi maintains this course, it could provide a model for others. It demonstrates that authority does not need to fear the pen. 

On this International Press Freedom Day, therefore, the commendation for Kebbi is not empty ritual. It is a lesson. In a world where press freedom is often cast as conflict, Kebbi offers a quieter alternative: that coexistence, founded on mutual respect, is both possible and productive. 

Ultimately, the strength of a government is measured not by the volume of its praise, but by the calm with which it absorbs criticism. By that standard, Governor Idris is making a subtle but powerful argument, that the most secure administrations are those unafraid of the truth.