Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says the recent advisory issued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is an attempt to stifle free expression and silence dissent in the media.
The NBC had, on Saturday, cautioned presenters against
presenting opinions as facts or intimidating guests.
The commission also warned that as Nigeria enters a critical
electoral period, the airwaves must not be used to propagate misinformation.
Reacting in an X post on Saturday night, Atiku said the code
of conduct advisory is “yet another troubling attempt to muzzle the media and
shrink the space for free expression in Nigeria”.
He said the country’s media industry has grown into a
formidable institution, respected globally for its resilience and
professionalism, adding that it is “alarming” that the NBC resorts to
“heavy-handed directives” whenever elections approach.
“I stand firmly with Nigeria’s broadcast industry and all
media platforms resisting this creeping censorship,” Atiku said
The former vice-president added that ethical standards in
journalism should not be “seasonal tools to be weaponised during campaigns”.
According to him, the timing and tone of the regulations
suggest a deeper agenda.
Atiku accused the government of being more interested in
controlling the narrative than in ensuring a free, fair, and transparent
electoral process.
The NBC directive comes amid heightened political activity
ahead of the 2027 general election.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is expected to
field President Bola Tinubu for re-election, while opposition figures have
joined forces in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The key opposition stakeholders are Atiku Abubakar, who
recently indicated the race could be his final presidential bid, alongside
Peter Obi, 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party; Rabiu Kwankwaso,
former governor of Kano; Nasir el-Rufai, former Kaduna governor; and Rotimi
Amaechi, former minister and ex-Rivers governor.
The opposition has framed the coalition as a strategy to
strengthen electoral competition and challenge the dominance of the ruling
party.
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