In a shocking revelation, Phrank Shaibu, the Special Assistant on Public Communication to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has made serious allegations against the administration of President Bola Tinubu. According to Shaibu, the Tinubu-led government is plotting to silence the media in anticipation of the release of records containing investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Shaibu’s statement, released on Sunday, claims that the recent threat by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to sanction Arise Television News is just the tip of the iceberg. He further alleges that the NBC has been closely monitoring media platforms like Television Continental (TVC), which have been consistently attacking Atiku and refusing to give airtime to opposition views.
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The motive behind the Tinubu administration’s alleged actions, Shaibu asserts, is the frustration caused by the Chicago State University scandal. In response, the government is allegedly planning a massive offensive in the coming days.
Shaibu reveals, “Back in February, the NBC showed a semblance of fairness by fining TVC for unprofessional broadcasts, including the airing of the Joint Media Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council press briefing. At the time, Festus Keyamo accused Obasanjo and Atiku of running a criminal enterprise and an empire of fraud in Abuja.”
However, since Tinubu assumed the presidency on May 29, the NBC has become more partisan than ever, according to Shaibu. He suggests that the NBC boss, Balarabe Ilelah, is acting in the interests of the APC and the Presidential Villa in order to secure his appointment.
Shaibu goes on to claim that the NBC has now become complicit in a grand scheme to silence the media regarding Tinubu’s certificate scandal. Failing to win the battle in the court of public opinion, the government is allegedly resorting to using state powers to intimidate the media into silence. Shaibu expresses his disappointment, saying, “This is indeed shameful for a man who claimed to be a hero of the June 12 struggle.”
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Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Shaibu emphasizes that now is not the time for the Nigerian media to show any weakness. He believes that the trove of documents set to be released by the FBI this month will expose the details of the investigation into Tinubu.
Shaibu insists that the dissemination of this crucial information should not be left solely to social media platforms. He calls on the media to fulfill its role as the watchdog of society, as enshrined in Section 22 of the 1999 constitution.
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The allegations made by Atiku’s aide have sent shockwaves through the Nigerian media landscape. The potential implications of the Tinubu government’s alleged attempts to silence the media ahead of the release of FBI files cannot be understated.
As the news of these allegations spreads, it remains to be seen how the Tinubu administration will respond. The media, on the other hand, must rise to the challenge and fulfill its duty as a pillar of democracy. The eyes of the nation are watching, and the truth must prevail.
