Politics
OSINBAJO, AMBODE TASK MEDIA TO ENSURE ADHERENCE TO PROFESSIONALISM
…Address Abuse Of New Media, VP Urges
…As NGE Holds 2019 Biennial Convention In Lagos
Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Saturday urged the media to continue to do everything within its powers to ensure that members adhere strictly to the code of ethics to preserve the sanctity of the profession.
The duo spoke at the 2019 Biennial Convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) held at the Airport Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, well attended by members of the Guild from across the country.
In his goodwill message, Governor Ambode who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan said the media must continue to up the ante in its primary responsibility as the watchdog of the society.
Noting that the theme of the convention, ‘Media Convergence As Strategy For Survival’ was very apt, he said the State Government has drawn ideas and policy formation as well as execution from the criticisms and suggestions from the media.
“We have learnt from your informed commentaries, reflecting deep concern about the need for solutions to problems that all of us worry about uninterrupted electricity, efficient transportation, affordable housing and the ease of doing business.
“What we have witnessed in Lagos state in the past four years and particularly the commissioning of transformational projects in recent times bear testimony to the fact that your criticisms and suggestions towards a livable megacity have contributed to our policy formulation and execution,” he said.
The Governor alluded to the fact that his administration benefitted immensely from the coverage of landmark programmes and projects as media monitoring records revealed over 80 percent reportage of the State Government in the last four years was positive.
“I appeal that the guild continue to see the stables and the titles as stakeholders whose social responsibility to actualise the vision of a greater Lagos will be taken to the next level by my successor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the incoming governor,” he said.
Governor Ambode also commended the Guild for the choice of Lagos as the venue of its conference, saying that it was not just a vote of confidence in his administration for building a safe and secure city, but also an editorial comment on the freedom of the press as a fundamental pillar of the democratic culture of Lagos State.
In his keynote address, Professor Osinbajo urged media practitioners to be open to the reality that the new and digital media was gradually taking over the traditional media.
The Vice President, however, said the greater worry was the fact that the new media had been saturated with several mushroom platforms, which do not regard the ethics of the profession in disseminating information.
“Editors must now take over the online media as seriously as they did to the traditional media and that move has to be unprecedented. What we see today is that instant reporting is making a mince meat of the virtues of cross checking facts before publishing.
“Since the role of editors is quality control and gate keeping, of the things they must do is to manage the new media and place some form of control. Some people must take the lead to speak up against the bastardization of the new media as it is gradually relegating investigative journalism,” Osinbajo said.
He also urged the media to invest in technology and continue to strive to ensure that they maintain their code of ethics, saying that failure to do this will be detrimental to the profession.
“I urge you to continue to abide by the journalism code of ethics of honesty, independence, accuracy, balance and public accountability. The time has come for editors to ensure that the thread of journalists of repute does not become a thing of the past.
The Vice President and Governor Ambode were later presented with commendation plagues by the Guild for their support and commitment to the media profession, while elections were conducted to elect new officers of the Guild.
Conference of Speakers Visits Obasa, Commends Leadership
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has commended the legislative acumen, political doggedness, and robust leadership of Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Obasa, a six-term legislator representing Agege Constituency 1, has been Speaker since 2015.
During a recent visit to Obasa, Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, chairman, said the Conference of Speakers came to show solidarity and observe Iftar with their colleague and former chairman.
Ogundoyin, also the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, commended Obasa’s ‘peerless maturity and exemplary leadership’, qualities he said have ensured that the Lagos State House of Assembly continues to live up to its reputation as the leading light and pathfinder of state legislatures in Nigeria.
One after the other, the visiting Speakers extolled Obasa’s leadership and applauded him for upholding the state assembly’s motto – beyond the common standards of excellence.’
Responding, Obasa thanked his Speaker-colleagues for the visit and urged them to continue to legislate for the good governance of their respective states because “Effective legislation plays an integral role in the overall socio-economic development of all states and the nation at large.”
Further, he said, “As legislators, we must prioritise and be responsive to the needs and interests of the people as exemplified by our activities in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
“I understand that every legislature operates under different rules and circumstances, but you can never get it wrong when the goal is legislative efficiency and effectiveness, which are two different things. My over two decades experience as a legislator has taught me that effectiveness is doing the right things, while efficiency is doing things right. So, for those wondering why Lagos is a primus inter pares among Nigerian states, it is because we combine effectiveness with efficiency.”
Established by the pioneer speakers of state Houses of Assembly in the wake of the return of democracy in 1999, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria is a bipartisan organisation committed to serving the nation and member-states irrespective of the party affiliation of members. Its primary aim is to promote inter-parliamentary solidarity and legislative best practices. Obasa served as chairman between 2018 and 2020.
Edo Tribunal Ruling: A Legal Verdict or a Political Manipulation?
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
The recent verdict by the Edo State Governorship Elections Tribunal dismissing the PDP’s petition against the 2024 election outcome has once again raised critical questions about the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process. While the tribunal cited the absence of competent witnesses and lack of substantial evidence, a deeper analysis of this ruling, coupled with the broader political climate under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, suggests a concerning pattern: the calculated erosion of Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
Legal Grounds or Judicial Bias?
The Edo State Governorship Elections Tribunal ruled that the PDP’s petition failed primarily due to a lack of competent witnesses and insufficient evidence. While documents were provided, the tribunal deemed them inadmissible without credible testimony to authenticate them. Furthermore, the tribunal insisted that oral evidence was necessary to prove allegations of over-voting, referencing Supreme Court precedents. However, this ruling raises fundamental concerns. If documents submitted were indeed official election records, why were they disregarded solely due to the absence of certain witnesses?
The tribunal’s insistence on strict evidentiary standards while allegedly turning a blind eye to glaring irregularities raises suspicions of bias. By disqualifying the testimony of the PDP’s witnesses on technical grounds, the ruling effectively denied the petitioners a fair chance to prove their case.
Tinubu’s Blueprint for a One-Party State
Beyond the tribunal’s ruling, the broader actions of the APC-led federal government suggest a systematic effort to stifle opposition and consolidate power. Since assuming office, Tinubu’s administration has embarked on a relentless campaign to weaken opposition parties, coerce key political figures, and silence dissent.
Key examples include:
Governor Dave Umahi’s Political Turnaround: The former PDP governor of Ebonyi State defected to the APC, citing pressures that many believe were orchestrated by Tinubu’s allies to weaken the opposition in the Southeast.
EFCC’s Selective Prosecution: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has targeted opposition figures, including PDP chieftains, while largely ignoring corruption allegations against APC loyalists. Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, an APC stalwart, remains untouched despite numerous allegations.
Judicial Interference in Opposition-Led States: Several opposition-led states, including Rivers and Zamfara, have faced judicial interventions that appear politically motivated. The removal of PDP-aligned governors through questionable court rulings further fuels suspicions of a grand strategy to dismantle opposition strongholds.
Forcing and Silencing Top Officials
Under Tinubu’s administration, several top government officials have been forced to align with the APC or face political and economic consequences. Notable cases include:
Godwin Emefiele, the former CBN governor, was arrested and detained shortly after Tinubu assumed power. While official reasons cite economic mismanagement, many believe his removal was politically motivated, given his role in the controversial Naira redesign policy, which was seen as a challenge to Tinubu’s pre-election financial war chest.
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has been largely sidelined, despite his significant role in the Buhari administration. His reluctance to align fully with Tinubu has seen him politically isolated.
Peter Obi and Labour Party Persecution: The Labour Party (LP), which posed a significant threat to APC’s dominance in 2023, has faced relentless attacks. LP members have been harassed, and attempts have been made to delegitimize Obi’s growing influence.
The Death of Democratic Institutions?
Under a true democracy, political competition should be encouraged, not stifled. However, Tinubu’s administration has exhibited autocratic tendencies, from the questionable removal of political opponents to the strategic co-optation of opposition figures.
The Judiciary’s Role: The increasing frequency of court rulings favoring the APC raises concerns about judicial independence. The Edo Tribunal’s verdict fits into a broader trend of politically convenient judgments, which often seem to align with the ruling party’s interests.
The Media’s Struggle: Independent journalism has suffered due to growing restrictions on press freedom. Media outlets that criticize Tinubu’s government face the risk of intimidation and economic strangulation. Channels Television and Arise TV, for instance, have been warned over their critical reporting on government affairs.
A Nation at a Crossroads:
Furthermore, Nigeria stands at a critical juncture. The Edo Tribunal’s ruling is not just about an election petition; it is a symptom of a larger problem—the gradual erosion of democracy under Tinubu’s watch. If this trend continues, Nigeria risks sliding into a de facto one-party state where dissent is crushed, and political opposition is merely symbolic.
For democracy to thrive, there must be a robust opposition, an independent judiciary, and a free press. The systematic silencing of opposition voices, as seen in Edo State and beyond, should alarm all Nigerians who believe in democratic governance. The question remains: Will Nigerians allow this autocratic overreach to continue, or will they rise to defend the essence of democracy before it is too late?
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