Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has warned that press freedom in Nigeria appears to be under increasing threat. In a statement posted on his official X account on Tuesday, Obi said recent actions by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) raise “serious concerns about the state of democratic institutions.” He emphasized that a free and responsible media should not be treated as an adversary, noting the press’s essential role in holding leaders accountable. “The media is the conscience of the nation,” he asserted, cautioning that attempts to silence or intimidate journalists under the guise of regulation risk eroding democratic principles.
Obi argued that institutions should serve the people rather than the government, warning that measures perceived as restricting freedom of expression could undermine public trust. He also highlighted Nigeria’s pressing challenges, including rising insecurity and economic hardship, and urged authorities to prioritize addressing these issues over controlling narratives. The former governor called for stronger, not tighter, institutional frameworks, reaffirming his support for media organizations and broadcasters. His remarks come amid growing concerns among civil society groups and journalists about the state of press freedom in Nigeria.
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