Connect with us


News

The Guardian newspaper is openly inciting unrest against FG – Presidency

Published

The Guardian newspaper is openly inciting unrest against FG

The Special Adviser said the newspaper must be questioned on how it could present an argument for military intervention while superficially denouncing it.

The Presidency on Saturday faulted The Guardian newspaper’s lead story of October 25, which had the title: “Calls for military intervention: misery, harsh policies driving Nigerians to desperate choices.”

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

He said the inflammatory headline and content deviated from responsible reporting.

“The Guardian’s agenda was unmistakable from the cover illustration to the article.

Advertisement

“In attempting to create a balanced veneer, the author condemns military rule while fanning the flames of military intervention,” said Onanuga.

“This was evident in the introduction to the article,” he said.

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.

Continuing, the newspaper said, “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.”

Advertisement

The Special Adviser said the newspaper must be questioned on how it could present an argument for military intervention while superficially denouncing it “unless it harboured a deliberate agenda”.

“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 the 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,” Onanuga stated.

He said such narratives could embolden anarchists intent on disrupting the democratic process.

Advertisement

“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,” said Onanuga.

He said the narrative by the newspaper neglected the hard-fought battle that birthed the country’s democracy and served only to undermine the hard-won freedoms that Nigerians were enjoying.

“Good journalism is characterised by restraint and a commitment to national interest. Media outlets must propagate responsible reporting that contributes to an informed citizenry.

Advertisement

“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,” Onanuga argued.

He explained that Tinubu had consistently called for understanding and patience amid the nation’s challenges.

“The President’s plea is not a sign of weakness but an affirmation of his dedication to a brighter future for Nigeria.

“Moreover, recent policy changes have initiated a turnaround, yielding positive economic indicators.

“According to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the revenue-to-debt service ratio has notably declined from 97 per cent in 2023 to 68 per cent in 2024.

Advertisement

“Nigeria’s foreign reserves rose to 39.1 billion dollars on Oct. 22, with GDP growth achieving 2.98 per cent in Q1 2024—an increase from 2.31 per cent in Q1 2023,” stated Onanuga.

He said this growth was driven by sectors beyond oil, including the financial services sector, mining, and quarrying, marking a significant shift in the country’s economic structure.

“We are now exporting more than we are importing, with trade surpluses recorded in two consecutive quarters.

“In light of the positive developments, it is unacceptable for any publication, including The Guardian, to incite calls for military intervention based on transient difficulties.

“A more cautious and responsible approach would have better served its readers and the nation,” he said.

Advertisement

According to him, journalism, like democracy, thrives on fairness and objectivity, a standard he says all media outlets must uphold.

“We encourage The Guardian and similar platforms to prioritise balanced reporting that fosters dialogue and understanding rather than division and unrest.

“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 toward a better future,” Onanuga said.
#Guardian #newspaper #openly #inciting #unrest #Presidency


Turo247News is on WhatsApp!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

Share News with us via Email: turo247newz.com@gmail.com

Join Our Social Media Channels
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Latest Trending News

We're trailing truck driver who crushed 3 mechanics to death in Ogun – Police

Published

on

8223913a dc7a 40dd 8513 e3b3a82b0cd5

The Police Command in Ogun on Friday said they are on the trail of the truck driver who crushed three automobile technicians to death at Kemta, Abeokuta, on Wednesday.

CSP Omolola Odutola, the Command’s Spokesperson, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta.

Odutola explained that the driver escaped the scene immediately after the incident.

NAN reports that several automobile technicians at the Ajebo Mechanic Village Abeokuta on Thursday protested the killing of their colleagues.

Advertisement

The technicians, members of the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), blocked the Ajebo/OGTV road and vowed not to allow trucks to ply it until necessary steps were taken.

They sought a concrete solution to eliminate the series of accidents being experienced around the area by the government.

The police spokesperson told NAN that the technicians were aware of the police efforts to apprehend the driver.

” The driver is at large. The technicians are aware of the whole issue that he has not been arrested. The truck is in the police station,” she said.

Odutola explained that the police representatives had long discussions with truck owners, technicians, and victims’ relatives.

Advertisement

In an interview with NAN, Saheed Arulogun, chairman of the Ajebo Mechanic Village, also confirmed that the truck driver was at large.

Arulogun noted that the truck owners were making moves to ensure that the deceased were released to their families for burial.

” They also said there will be a meeting to compensate the families of the deceased.

” There will be a meeting that will involve all parties by 4:00p.m today. We will know the next step after the meeting,” he said.

Advertisement

Turo247News is on WhatsApp!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

Share News with us via Email: turo247newz.com@gmail.com

Join Our Social Media Channels
Continue Reading

Latest Trending News

Nollywood, social media, prosperity preaching by religious institutions fueling get-rich-quick syndrome — Remi Tinubu

Published

on

remi 1738964649

The wife of President Bola Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has said skewed messages projected by some movies, social media and religious organisations are fueling the get-rich-quick syndrome which is also driving Nigerias high rate of trafficking in persons. She stated this on Friday, February 7, when the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) Binta Bello, led the top management of the agency to her office at the State House, Abuja. Senior Special Assistant to the First Lady on Media, Busola Kukoyi, in a statement titled First Lady reiterates call for re-orientation for hard work and patience’ said Mrs Tinubu also pledged her support to the agencys ongoing fight against human trafficking. The First Lady, who was briefed on the activities of the Agency, particularly the recent raid on a baby factory in Abuja, where 19 pregnant young girls were rescued, called on youths to stop making themselves easy targets for traffickers and other criminally minded people by embracing the virtues of patience and hard work. The get rich quick syndrome is not helping matters. Even our religious institutions are doing prosperity preaching and even the bible talks about work. Social media is also not helping. Nollywood as well, the statement read.   The post Nollywood, social media, prosperity preaching by religious institutions fueling get-rich-quick syndrome Remi Tinubu appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.


Turo247News is on WhatsApp!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

Share News with us via Email: turo247newz.com@gmail.com

Join Our Social Media Channels
Continue Reading

Latest Trending News

NNPC debunks explosion at Warri Refinery, says routine maintenance in progress

Published

on

f288863b 54e4 490d a13e b454d89e5dea.webp

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has clarified that there was no explosion at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) in the Delta.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has clarified that there was no explosion at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) in the Delta.

In a statement on Friday, Mr Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd., said that any reports suggesting otherwise were completely false.

Soneye said that on Jan. 25, 2025, operations at WRPC Area One were intentionally curtailed to conduct necessary intervention works on select equipment, including field instruments, impacting sustainable and steady operations.

Advertisement

“These intervention works are essential to ensure the production of on-specification finished and intermediate products, particularly Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Kerosene (Kero).

“The routine maintenance is progressing as planned, and Area One will be back in operation within the next few days.

“In spite of ongoing interventions, over the past 11 days, AGO loading has been maintained at an average of eight trucks per day, with a sufficient supply available to sustain ongoing truck load-out operations,” he said.

He said that NNPC Ltd. remained committed to ensuring uninterrupted product supply and appreciated the patience and cooperation of all stakeholders in completing these essential maintenance activities.

Advertisement

Turo247News is on WhatsApp!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

Share News with us via Email: turo247newz.com@gmail.com

Join Our Social Media Channels
Continue Reading
Advertisement