By Remilekun Awokoya
The presidency has accused The Guardian for inciting calls for a military coup in its lead story of Friday, October 25, 2024.
The Guardian is a leading national newspaper in Nigeria, and the story being called out by the presidency is titled, “Calls for military intervention: misery, harsh policies driving Nigerians to desperate choices.”
In an open letter on Saturday, Bayo Onanuga the Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, said the story “openly incites unrest against President Bola Tinubu’s administration and advocates regime change under the guise of journalism.”
He said the headline was inflammatory amd deviated from responsible reporting.
“The Guardian’s agenda is 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 is evident in the introduction to the article where 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 in governance.
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.’
“We must question how The Guardian can present an argument for military intervention while superficially denouncing it unless it harbours a deliberate agenda.”
According to Onanuga, the story was a reflection of a troubling trend in which The Guardian “has persistently propagated inflammatory and negative narratives, stepping dangerously close to undermining the very fabric of responsible journalism.”
He said the lead story relied heavily upon emotive language and imager such as an illustration of military armoured tank to bolster its argument while neglecting to present a balanced view.
He said, “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.
“It appears lost on The Guardian that such narratives could embolden anarchists intent on disrupting our democratic process.
“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.
“This narrative neglects the hard-fought battle that birthed our democracy and serves only to undermine the hard-won freedoms that Nigerians now enjoy.
“Good journalism is characterised by restraint and a commitment to national interest. Media outlets must propagate responsible reporting that contributes to an informed citizenry.
“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 said the President Tinubu was already addressing the nation’s challenges while calling for patience from Nigerians
“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% in 2023 to 68% in 2024.
“Nigeria’s foreign reserves rose to $39.1 billion on October 22, with GDP growth achieving 2.98% in Q1 2024—an increase from 2.31% in Q1 2023.
“This growth was driven by sectors beyond oil, including the financial services sector, mining, and quarrying, marking a significant shift in our economic structure.
“We are now exporting more than we are importing, with trade surpluses recorded in two consecutive quarters,” the President’s lead spokesman said.
Onanuga cautioned the Guardian and advised other news publications to eschew calling for miliary interventions because of the challenges of country.
He said, “In the 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.
“Journalism—like our democracy—thrives on fairness and objectivity, and all media outlets must uphold these standards.
“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 to a better future.”