Press Statement
…Says It’s An Attempt to Gag The Media, Stifle Public Opinion
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns, in its totality, the
unrelenting attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled
federal government to cage the media as being witnessed in the ferocious
attacks on Africa Independent Television (AIT) by government agencies,
particularly the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
The party says it is evident that the attack on AIT is targeted at
intimidating and gaging the media, repress constitutionally guaranteed
freedom of speech and stifle public opinion, particularly as related to
the determination by Nigerians to retrieve the stolen Presidential
mandate at the tribunal.
This clamp down on AIT as well as earlier siege on other media houses
and journalists under the APC administration, ostensibly point to a plot
to frighten and asphyxiate the media, shut down outlets perceived to
hold dissenting views and ultimately foist a siege mentality on our
citizenry to restrain their demand for fairness and justice in the
polity.
The APC is mortally afraid that a free press will raise the red flag and
expose its manipulations and any attempt to subvert the course of
justice, especially in the Presidential petition, hence this desperation
to strangulate the media and cow Nigerians from freely expressing
themselves.
Moreover, the PDP invites Nigerians to note that the Director-General of
the NBC, Ishaq Modibbo Kawu, is a card carrying member and frontline
leader in the APC who was also an aspirant on the platform of the party
for the governorship of Kwara state.
The PDP notes that there can be no democracy without a free press. To
stifle the media is an invitation to fascism and a return to the era of
obnoxious military Decrees 2 and 4, which must be resisted by all.
Our party therefore calls on Nigerians and the International community
to unite in condemning this desperation to gag the media and repress
free speech in Nigeria.
The PDP also charges the media to remain professional and steadfast in
their constitutional role of holding government and its institutions
accountable and not be intimidated by oppressive forces that seek to
subjugate Nigerians.
Signed:
Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary
