The presidency has accused a media organisation of inciting calls for military intervention in Nigeria, saying it was unacceptable for the organisation to incite unrest against President Bola Tinubu based on transient difficulties in the country.
While describing military rule as an anachronism in modern civilisations, the presidency said the content of the organisation’s editorial was to undermine the gains recorded in the Tinubu government’s reform.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement issued on Saturday, accused the organisation of persistently propagating inflammatory and negative narratives.
He said though the organisation condemned military rule, it fanned the flames of military intervention.
Onanuga said the organisation’s headline and “content deviated from responsible reporting.”
The presidential spokesman said such narratives could embolden anarchists to disrupt the country’s democratic process.
He insisted that the organisation presented an argument for military intervention while superficially denouncing it.
The presidential spokesman accused the media house of “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.”
“Moreover, the lead story relies heavily upon emotive language and imagery—such as an illustration of a 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,” he said.
He described military rule as an anachronism in modern civilisations due to the oppressive nature typically associated with its practice.
Onanuga recalled that two members of staff of the organisation were jailed by the military regime for reporting the truth.
“Yet, it attempts to provoke public ire against President Tinubu by suggesting he governs with less regard for citizens than military dictators once did,” the presidency said.
He said the organisation’s narrative neglected the hard-fought battle that birthed the country’s democracy, adding that it serves only to undermine the hard-won freedoms that Nigerians now enjoy.
“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.
“President Tinubu has consistently called for understanding and patience amid our nation’s challenges. This plea is not a sign of weakness but an affirmation of his dedication to a brighter future for Nigeria”.
He quoted the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, as saying that “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 on October 22, with GDP growth achieving 2.98 per cent in Q1 2024 – an increase from 2.31 per cent in Q1 2023.
“In the light of the positive developments, it is unacceptable for any publication to incite calls for military intervention based on transient difficulties,” he said.
“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 to a better future,” he added.
Olawale Ajimotokan
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