Your contempt for Nigerian media is unnecessary. PDP attacks APC Campaign Council.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has slammed the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for allegedly launching constant brazen attacks, threats, and negative labeling of Nigerian media.
According to Track News, the PDP was reacting to a terse statement issued by the APC Presidential Campaign Council regarding the Arise News Town Hall meeting on Sunday.

The APC Campaign mocked the media outlet in the statement for its constant broadcast of an advertisement about the town hall meeting, which the party’s Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, had already declined to attend.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, PDP spokesman Debo Ologunagba chastised the APC Presidential Campaign Council for its hostility toward Arise News and the Nigerian media.

He stated that the APC Campaign’s actions are an unpardonable display of intolerance, aversion, and hatred for the Nigerian media, and that Nigerians are outraged by the ruling party’s actions.

Ologungaba claimed that the action was part of a plan to intimidate the Nigerian media from carrying out its constitutional duty, as stated in Section 22 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 Constitution (as amended).

He stated that the purpose of the media is to provide Nigerians with a legitimate and credible platform to examine, review, and interrogate the policies and programs of those seeking the office of Nigerian President.

The statement reads, “The Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign’s action is an unpardonable display of intolerance, aversion, and hatred for the media, as well as a direct affront to Section 22 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 Constitution” (as amended).

“This confirms Nigerians’ fears about the APC’s plot to undermine critical sections of our Constitution in order to stifle the media, erode free speech, and impose a fascist system on our country.”

“The PDP invites Nigerians to note that, while asserting that the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has the right to “decide where he goes and events to participate in,” the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign exposed its proclivity towards fascism by preventing other Nigerians, particularly their spokespersons and supporters, from exercising their constitutional freedom of association.”

“Nigerians are well aware that the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign is desperate to keep Asiwaju Tinubu from answering questions about his numerous alleged issues.”

“The Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign should understand that avoiding media invitations in Nigeria and running to Chatham House in London will not save Asiwaju Tinubu.”

“Nigerians are demanding that he address them at home rather than in London.”

“Our Party believes that, as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, the media has a constitutional obligation to act as a watchdog over government, public officials, and those seeking public office.”

“In this regard, every media platform in Nigeria has an obligation to ensure that those aspiring to public offices, particularly the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, make themselves available for the Nigerian people to examine, review, and interrogate their policies and programs for the nation.”

“We are concerned that the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign’s threats to the media will incite APC thugs to attack media practitioners and journalists in Nigeria, intimidating them from carrying out their constitutional duties.”

“The PDP calls the Inspector General of Police’s attention to the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign’s threat to the media and urges him to take steps to ensure that the media has a conducive environment and freedom to carry out their duties to the nation.”

“Our Party charges the Media not to be intimidated, but to remain firm and resolute in the discharge of its duties, particularly in the run-up to the 2023 general elections.”