Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reacted to a recent notice by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to broadcasters over violations of broadcasting codes during their programmes, saying it is an attempt to stifle press freedom and limit public debate ahead of the 2027 general elections, news.ng reports.
Atiku made this known in a post on X on Saturday night.
While he warned that the directive poses a threat to free speech, the chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) added that such moves by the NBC could weaken democratic principles, even at a critical time when there is a need for public enlightenment, transparency, and accountability.
He stated, “The Code of Conduct advisory issued by the National Broadcasting Commission is yet another troubling attempt to muzzle the media and shrink the space for free expression in Nigeria.”
He acknowledged the level of recognition the Nigerian media industry commands on the global stage and how practitioners have demonstrated professionalism and remained steadfast.
“Our media industry has grown into a formidable institution, respected globally for its resilience and professionalism. It is therefore alarming that, each time elections approach, the NBC resorts to heavy-handed directives that do more to silence dissent than to uphold ethical journalism.
“I stand firmly with Nigeria’s broadcast industry and all media platforms resisting this creeping censorship.
“Let it be clear: ethical standards are not seasonal tools to be weaponised during campaigns; they are constant obligations.
“The timing and tone of these regulations expose a deeper agenda. It signals a government more interested in controlling narratives than permitting a free, fair, and transparent electoral process,” he added.