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Phrank Shaibu, the Special Assistant on Public Communication to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has made a startling allegation against the administration led by President Bola Tinubu. Shaibu claims that the government is orchestrating a sinister plan to stifle the media ahead of the disclosure of records containing investigations conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

According to Shaibu, the recent threat by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to sanction Arise Television News is just the tip of the iceberg. He asserts that the NBC has been closely monitoring the actions of media platforms like Television Continental (TVC), which have constantly launched attacks on Atiku while refusing to air opposing viewpoints.

Shaibu further revealed that the Tinubu administration, feeling increasingly frustrated by the Chicago State University scandal, is preparing to embark on a massive offensive in the coming days.

“Back in February, the NBC attempted to display a modicum of fairness by imposing fines on TVC for unprofessional broadcasts, including the airing of a press briefing held by the Joint Media Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council. During the briefing, Festus Keyamo accused Obasanjo and Atiku of running a criminal enterprise and an empire of fraud in Abuja,” Shaibu said.

“However, since Tinubu assumed the presidency on May 29, the NBC has become more biased than ever before. The NBC Director-General, Balarabe Ilelah, appears to be seeking to preserve his appointment and is now dancing to the APC’s tune, dictated by their master at the Presidential Villa.”

Shaibu continued, “The NBC has now been co-opted into a grand conspiracy to silence the media regarding Tinubu’s certificate scandal. Having lost the battle in the court of public opinion, they are now attempting to use the powers of the state to intimidate the media into silence. This is truly shameful for a man who claims to be a hero of the June 12 struggle.”

Shaibu emphasized that now is not the time for the Nigerian media to display any signs of weakness. He emphasized that the multitude of documents that the FBI is poised to release this month will expose the details of the investigation concerning Tinubu.

The aide to Atiku further added that the responsibility of disseminating this information should not be solely left to social media. The media must rise to the occasion and fulfill its role as the guardian of society, as stipulated in Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution.