Phrank Shaibu, the Special Assistant on Public Communication to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has raised concerns about the administration led by President Bola Tinubu.
He alleges that this government has devised a covert strategy to stifle media freedom, particularly in anticipation of the forthcoming release of investigative records by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Shaibu’s apprehensions extend beyond the recent warning issued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) regarding Arise Television News; he believes this is just the beginning of a broader initiative.
According to him, various media outlets, such as Television Continental (TVC), have consistently launched attacks on Atiku while refusing to provide a platform for opposing viewpoints.
Furthermore, Shaibu contends that Tinubu’s administration has grown increasingly frustrated with the unfolding Chicago State University scandal and is gearing up for a substantial offensive in the days ahead.
Shaibu added, “Back in February, the NBC tried to show a bit of fairness and fined TVC for unprofessional broadcasts, including the airing of the Joint Media Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council press briefing, where Festus Keyamo said Obasanjo and Atiku ran a criminal enterprise and an empire of fraud in Abuja.
“However, since Tinubu became president on May 29, the NBC has become more partisan than ever. The NBC boss, Balarabe Ilelah, is obviously seeking to retain his appointment and is now dancing to the tune of the APC and their master at the Presidential Villa.
“The NBC has now been co-opted into a grand plot to gag the media over Tinubu’s certificate scandal. Having lost the battle in the court of public opinion, they are now trying to use the powers of the state to browbeat the media into silence. This is indeed shameful for a man who claimed to be a hero of the June 12 struggle.”
Shaibu noted that this is not the time for the Nigerian media to show any weakness.
He stressed that the trove of documents that the FBI was set to release this month would expose details of the investigation on Tinubu.
Atiku’s aide added that the dissemination of this information must not be left to social media alone. The media must rise up to its role as the watchdog of society as enshrined in Section 22 of the 1999 constitution.
