Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticised the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over its recently issued Code of Conduct advisory, describing it as “yet another troubling attempt to muzzle the media and shrink the space for free expression in Nigeria.”
In a statement posted late Saturday on his verified Facebook page, Atiku, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), expressed deep concern over what he sees as a pattern of regulatory overreach by the NBC, especially as the country approaches another election cycle.
“Our media industry has grown into a formidable institution, respected globally for its resilience and professionalism,” Atiku wrote.
“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.”
The former Vice President declared his solidarity with the broadcast media, saying: “I stand firmly with Nigeria’s broadcast industry and all media platforms resisting this creeping censorship.”
He further argued that ethical standards in journalism should not be applied selectively.
“Let it be clear: ethical standards are not seasonal tools to be weaponised during campaigns, they are constant obligations,” Atiku stated.
Atiku warned that the timing and tone of the NBC’s regulations reveal an underlying motive.
“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.
The statement comes amid growing tensions between media stakeholders and regulatory bodies in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections, with several media organisations and civil society groups already voicing similar concerns about potential restrictions on press freedom.
Atiku’s intervention is seen as a significant boost to those opposing what they perceive as attempts to curtail independent broadcasting and public discourse in Nigeria.
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