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Angry presidency says The Guardian trying to incite Nigerians
The Presidency on Saturday faulted The Guardian newspaper’s lead story of Oct. 25, which had the title: “Calls for military intervention: misery, harsh policies driving Nigerians to desperate choices.”
Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, in a statement, said that the story “openly incited unrest against President Bola Tinubu’s administration and advocated regime change under the guise of journalism”.
He said the inflammatory headline and content deviated from responsible reporting.
“The Guardian’s agenda was unmistakable from the cover illustration to the article.
“In attempting to create a balanced veneer, the author condemns military rule while fanning the flames of military intervention,” said Onanuga.
“This was evident in the introduction to the article,” he said.
The newspaper wrote: “Nigerians were exhilarated with the return of democracy in 1999, but 25 years on, the buccaneering nature of politicians, their penchant for poor service delivery, morbid hatred for probity, accountability, and credible/transparent elections, among others, are forcing some flustered citizens to make extreme choices, including calling for military intervention.
Continuing, the newspaper said, “Deep despondency permeates every facet of the polity consequent upon soaring cost of living.
“And while the political elite splurge on fine wines and exotic automobiles amid poor service delivery, calls for regime change could become more strident in the days ahead even though military insurrection holds no solution to the country’s woes.”
The Special Adviser said the newspaper must be questioned on how it could present an argument for military intervention while superficially denouncing it “unless it harboured a deliberate agenda”.
“This latest editorial reflects a troubling trend in which the publication has persistently propagated inflammatory and negative narratives, stepping dangerously close to undermining the very fabric of responsible journalism.
“Moreover, the lead story relies heavily upon emotive language and imagery—such as an illustration of military armoured tank—to bolster its argument while neglecting to present a balanced view.
“It indulges in lampooning the current administration while ignoring positive developments in Nigeria’s economic landscape. The report lacks empirical data and fails to exhibit the journalistic rigour that the situation demands,” Onanuga stated.
He said such narratives could embolden anarchists intent on disrupting the democratic process.
“Military rule is an anachronism in modern civilisations, irrespective of its framing, due to the oppressive nature typically associated with its practice.
“Guided by its experience in 1984, when two of its journalists were jailed by the military regime for reporting the truth, The Guardian acknowledges that military rule is terrible.
“Yet, it attempts to provoke public ire against President Tinubu by suggesting he governs with less regard for citizens than military dictators once did,” said Onanuga.
He said the narrative by the newspaper neglected the hard-fought battle that birthed the country’s democracy and served only to undermine the hard-won freedoms that Nigerians were enjoying.
“Good journalism is characterised by restraint and a commitment to national interest. Media outlets must propagate responsible reporting that contributes to an informed citizenry.
“During times of political and economic crises, the media, as a force for good, should rally the public around their leaders, fostering unity and patience as reforms are introduced,” Onanuga argued.
He explained that Tinubu had consistently called for understanding and patience amid the nation’s challenges.
“The President’s plea is not a sign of weakness but an affirmation of his dedication to a brighter future for Nigeria.
“Moreover, recent policy changes have initiated a turnaround, yielding positive economic indicators.
“According to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the revenue-to-debt service ratio has notably declined from 97 per cent in 2023 to 68 per cent in 2024.
“Nigeria’s foreign reserves rose to 39.1 billion dollars on Oct. 22, with GDP growth achieving 2.98 per cent in Q1 2024—an increase from 2.31 per cent in Q1 2023,” stated Onanuga.
He said this growth was driven by sectors beyond oil, including the financial services sector, mining, and quarrying, marking a significant shift in the country’s economic structure.
“We are now exporting more than we are importing, with trade surpluses recorded in two consecutive quarters.
“In the light of the positive developments, it is unacceptable for any publication, including The Guardian, to incite calls for military intervention based on transient difficulties.
“A more cautious and responsible approach would have better served its readers and the nation,” he said.
According to him, journalism, like democracy, thrives on fairness and objectivity, a standard he says all media outlets must uphold.
“We encourage The Guardian and similar platforms to prioritise balanced reporting that fosters dialogue and understanding rather than division and unrest.
“At this time, we need our people and the media to rally around the government as the Tinubu-led administration steers our country through this challenging period toward a better future,” Onanuga said.
(NAN)
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Nigerian crossdresser Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, could face new criminal charges following allegations that he bribed officials to serve his jail term in a private apartment and paid off the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to drop money laundering charges against him.
Bobrisky, sentenced to six months in prison for currency abuse on April 12 and released on August 5, is now under scrutiny. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, established an investigative panel led by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalena Ajani, on September 30.
The panel aims to probe alleged corruption and other violations within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) related to Bobrisky’s release.
Tunji-Ojo initiated the probe after activist VeryDarkMan shared a video in which Bobrisky reportedly claimed to have bribed EFCC officials with N15 million to dismiss a money laundering charge and to have paid correctional officers to serve his sentence in private housing. The recording also includes a voice—allegedly Bobrisky’s—stating that a “godfather” and Haliru Nababa, the NCoS Controller General, arranged his housing outside prison.
The panel, however, reported no evidence that Bobrisky stayed outside the Kirikiri Custodial Centre. According to a report obtained by Sunday PUNCH, the panel recommended defamation and criminal charges against Bobrisky, asserting that his false claims damaged the correctional service’s reputation.
The Department of State Services (DSS) was also asked to investigate whether Bobrisky, directly or through intermediaries, bribed EFCC or NCoS officials. If confirmed, additional charges under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act could follow.
In addition, three correctional officers were cited, including former Controller of Corrections Ben Rabbi-Freeman, who was accused of procedural violations regarding Bobrisky’s transfer between facilities. Deputy Controller of Corrections Micheal Anugwa, responsible for Kirikiri Medium Security, and DCC Balogun Sikiru, formerly in charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, were also recommended for disciplinary action.
The panel further advised a complete audit of NCoS detainees and an overhaul of the prison welfare system, suggesting decoupling welfare services from commercial interests and fostering partnerships with NGOs for support. It also advocated for non-custodial measures across Nigeria to ease overcrowding and reserve imprisonment as a last resort
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Iki Opoji in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State was agog on Saturday 26th October 2024 as late Mrs. Victoria was laid to rest
The body of Mrs. Victoria, the mother of Spark News Daily’s Chief Executive Officer, Inegbenose Prevail, was lowered to the grave at about 2pm in her family residence.
The ceremony was attended by relatives, friends and colleagues of Mr Prevail, including prominent sons and daughters of Esan land.
Mrs. Victoria, 72, passed on in Lagos on September 3rd, 2024, after a brief illness.
While alive she was a devout Christian, a member of the Christian Pentecostal Mission International (CPM), Iteri branch, Lagos.
‘Mama Soldier’, as she was fondly called by her friends, associates, and colleagues, because of her strictness to the truth and outright hatred for dishonesty, left behind five surviving children, Godstime (Son), Prevail (Son), Prosper (Daughter), Isibhakhomen (Daughter) and Joy (Daughter); and ten grandchildren.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has secured all the chairmanship and councillorship positions in the just concluded local government elections across the 44 local government areas of Kano State in a sweeping victory.
This was announced by the Chairman of the Kano Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Sani Malumfashi, at the commission’s headquarters, declaring the NNPP as the winner in every local government contested.
Six political parties participated in the election, which was conducted peacefully throughout the state.
Speaking during the press briefing, Malumfashi praised the peaceful conduct of the election, noting that there were no reports of violence or electoral malpractices.
“We are pleased to announce that the NNPP has won all the chairmanship and councillorship seats across the 44 local government areas. The election was conducted in a transparent and orderly manner, and we did not receive any reports of violence,” he said.
Meanwhile, observers have hailed the election as a significant achievement for the state, praising the seamless organization and security arrangements that ensured the elections were conducted without incidents.
The election was finally conducted after series of litigation that sought to stop it from holding.
On Friday, the Kano State High Court granted the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) the authority to proceed with the local government elections, nullifying all attempts by political parties to stop the exercise.
Justice Sanusi Ma’aji who presided over the case, ruled that KANSIEC is empowered by the Constitution to conduct, supervise, and oversee local government elections across the 44 local government areas (LGAs) in Kano State.
The case was brought by KANSIEC against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and 13 other political parties.
Our correspondents who monitored the process on Saturday, reported that local vigilante groups and officials of Kano Road Transport Agency, Karota provided security at the polling units.
This was after the Kano State Police Command said it would comply with a court order, restricting it from taking part in the election.
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