Former Vice President and prominent member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the recent Code of Conduct advisory issued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), describing it as a veiled attempt to suppress press freedom and curtail free expression in Nigeria.
In a statement shared via his official X account on Saturday, Atiku expressed concern over what he characterised as increasing efforts to stifle the media, particularly in the lead-up to elections.
“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 stated.
Atiku noted that Nigeria’s media industry had earned global recognition for its resilience and professionalism, warning that regulatory actions such as the NBC directive risk undermining these achievements. He argued that such measures tend to emerge at politically sensitive periods, raising questions about their intent.
“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,” he added.
The former vice president declared his support for broadcasters and media organisations resisting what he described as “creeping censorship”, stressing that ethical standards in journalism should remain consistent rather than being selectively enforced.
“Let it be clear: ethical standards are not seasonal tools to be weaponised during campaigns; they are constant obligations,” Atiku said.
He further suggested that the timing and tone of the advisory pointed to a broader concern about the integrity of the electoral environment, alleging that it signalled an attempt to control public narratives rather than promote transparency.
In response, the NBC maintained that its directive was aimed at ensuring professionalism and fairness within the broadcast sector. The commission emphasised that media practitioners must uphold neutrality and adhere to established ethical standards at all times.
According to the NBC, presenters and anchors who present personal opinions as facts, intimidate guests, suppress opposing viewpoints, or act in ways that compromise neutrality and human dignity would be in violation of broadcast regulations.
The development has sparked debate across Nigeria’s media and political landscape, with stakeholders weighing the balance between regulation and the preservation of press freedom ahead of future elections.
