The Presidency has issued an appeal to media outlets, urging them to embrace responsible reporting practices that help foster an informed and united citizenry. This call came from Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who, in a Saturday statement, described good journalism as grounded in restraint and commitment to national interest.
Onanuga’s comments were prompted by an editorial in the Guardian on Friday, which, according to the Presidency, portrayed President Bola Tinubu’s governance in a way that could incite public discontent. The editorial, he claimed, attempted to liken the administration’s style to military authoritarianism—a characterisation Onanuga deemed not only unfair but also dismissive of Nigeria’s long journey toward democracy.
“This narrative neglects the hard-fought battle that birthed our democracy and serves only to undermine the hard-won freedoms Nigerians now enjoy,” he remarked.
During times of economic and political upheaval, he argued, the media should play a unifying role, fostering patience as necessary reforms are introduced. Onanuga reiterated Tinubu’s message of understanding and endurance, describing it as “not a sign of weakness but an affirmation of his dedication to a brighter future for Nigeria.”
Pointing to early signs of economic improvement spurred by recent policy shifts, he concluded, “At this time, we need our people and the media to rally around the government as the Tinubu-led administration steers our country through this challenging period toward a more prosperous future.”