Peter Obi Warns Against Press Freedom Restrictions in Nigeria

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has voiced alarm over what he perceives as escalating efforts to curtail press freedom in Nigeria. In a statement posted on his official X account on Tuesday, Obi described recent actions by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) as raising “serious concerns about the state of democratic institutions.”

Obi stressed that a free and responsible media should not be treated as an adversary, emphasizing the press’s essential role in holding leaders accountable. “The media is the conscience of the nation,” he asserted, cautioning that any attempt to silence or intimidate journalists under the pretext of regulation risks eroding democratic principles.

He argued that institutions should serve the people rather than the government, warning that measures perceived as restricting freedom of expression could undermine public trust. Obi also highlighted Nigeria’s pressing challenges, including rising insecurity and economic hardship, urging 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.