Presidency tackles Guardian for allegedly ‘inciting’ unrest against Nigerian govt

The Presidency on Saturday berated the Guardian Newspaper for allegedly inciting unrest against the Federal Government.

The presidency was reacting to the newspaper’s lead story of October 25 with a caption: “Calls for military intervention: misery, harsh policies driving Nigerians to desperate choices.”

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.

“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.”

In a statement issued in Abuja, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, alleged that the story “openly incited unrest against President Bola Tinubu’s administration and advocated regime change under the guise of journalism.”

He said the headline and content deviated from responsible reporting.

Onanuga said: “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.

“This was evident in the introduction to the article.”

The presidential aide wondered how the newspaper could present an argument for military intervention while superficially denouncing it “unless it harboured a deliberate agenda”.

He added: “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 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.

“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.”

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