directive by the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to bar a
television house, the AIT, from covering his activities, saying the
suppression of the media under any guise portends danger for the
nation's democracy.
In statement released by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa
Metuh, the party said that after carefully studying the defence
posited by General Buhari's campaign spokesperson as well as the
smokescreen statement by the APC to cover and mitigate his anti-media
posture, the PDP and indeed all lovers of democracy are persuaded that
the action was not only unjustifiable, but also unconstitutional and
completely against the spirit of liberty and the rule of law in a
democracy.
He said "the PDP as a party that have nurtured the nation's democracy
in the past 16 years cannot afford to fold its hands and watch the
constitutional rights, media freedom and personal liberty of
Nigerians, the basic tenets of democracy being demolished.
"We ask, is this a beginning of the feared erosion of the freedom and
personal liberty the media and Nigerian citizens have been enjoying in
the last 16 years under the PDP led-administration? Has our dear
nation finally fallen into the clutches of totalitarianism and
impunity where government actions will based on egocentric decisions
and impulses of individuals rather than the rule of law?
"While we assure the President-elect of our resolve to run a mature
and responsible opposition based on issues, we are disturbed by this
emerging development and reassure the Nigerian people that we will
continue to stand with them on issues of democracy and freedom at all
times.
"Perhaps, we need to remind General Buhari that part of the challenge
of his new position, even as President-elect is that he has lost his
private life which is now subject to public scrutiny and media
interrogation, as required of the custodian of the mandate of the
Nigerian people.
"The PDP is not oblivious of the background of the President-elect
especially as it relates to the freedom of the media, but we had
thought that having declared to be a converted democrat, he would make
himself amenable to the basic principles of democracy by following the
due process of the law on any circumstance.
"General Buhari may also wish to be reminded that the Nigerian
constitution upon which provisions he emerged President-elect, also
gave the media powers to cover activities of public office holders
while at the same time providing legal avenues for redress in the
event of any violation. If the right of the President-elect was in
anyway violated by the AIT or any media house for that matter, he is
expected to act within the law and seek redress in the courts
otherwise one would have no option than to conclude that he is out for
personal vendetta.
"The APC and the President-elect may have one or two lessons to pick
from President Goodluck Jonathan, who though the most maligned and
abused President in the history of our nation, even by the APC,
allowed his actions to be sufficiently guided by humility, tolerance
and the rule of law", the PDP said.
The party called on Nigerians not to despair but remain steadfast and
unite in resisting any anti-democratic tendencies intended to instill
fear in them and set the stage for a dictatorial order and the erosion
of their personal freedom and liberty as citizens, which they have
been enjoying in the last 16 years under the PDP.
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