Atiku fires Tinubu govt, says administration more interested in controlling media narrative than ensuring free, fair elections

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has fired the President Bola Tinubu government, and accused the  administration of being  more interested in controlling media narratives than ensuring free, and fair elections.

The African Democratic Congress presidential aspirant says the recent advisory issued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is an attempt to stifle free expression and silence dissent in the media.

The NBC had, on Saturday, cautioned presenters against presenting opinions as facts or intimidating guests.

The commission also warned that as Nigeria enters a critical electoral period, the airwaves must not be used to propagate misinformation.

Reacting in an X post on Saturday night, Atiku said the code of conduct advisory is “yet another troubling attempt to muzzle the media and shrink the space for free expression in Nigeria”.

He said the country’s media industry has grown into a formidable institution, respected globally for its resilience and professionalism, adding that it is “alarming” that the NBC resorts to “heavy-handed directives” whenever elections approach.

“I stand firmly with Nigeria’s broadcast industry and all media platforms resisting this creeping censorship,” Atiku said

The former vice-president added that ethical standards in journalism should not be “seasonal tools to be weaponised during campaigns”.

According to him, the timing and tone of the regulations suggest a deeper agenda.

Atiku accused the government of being more interested in controlling the narrative than in ensuring a free, fair, and transparent electoral process.

The NBC directive comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 general election.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is expected to field President Bola Tinubu for re-election, while opposition figures have joined forces in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The key opposition stakeholders are Atiku Abubakar, who recently indicated the race could be his final presidential bid, alongside Peter Obi, 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party; Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano; Nasir el-Rufai, former Kaduna governor; and Rotimi Amaechi, former minister and ex-Rivers governor.

The opposition has framed the coalition as a strategy to strengthen electoral competition and challenge the dominance of the ruling party.