The All Progressives Congress (APC) may have issued a statement to douse the tension generated by Shehu Garba’s earlier statement that African Independent Television (AIT) had been barred from covering the activities of Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s president-elect.
But before APC said AIT could cover the president-elect’s activities, Nigerians were already enmeshed in some fiery social-media arguments, for and against the short-lived boycott.
Here is a sample of the arguments
AGAINST
@MrFixNigeria
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Buhari, by this action is proving the AIT documentary right. How many Nigerians can he ban from criticizing him when he assumes office?
— Ohimai Godwin Amaize (@MrFixNigeria) April 28, 2015
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Dele Momodu
The decision to ban AIT should be rescinded immediately with apologies; elections have come and gone and we must forgive one another!
— Dele Momodu (@DeleMomodu) April 27, 2015
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PHlowz
Jona kneels for prayers; How can a president do that in public, he is our president. GMB bars AIT; Its his function, he can. Odiegwu!
— the OVERpHLowz™ (@Phlowz) April 27, 2015
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Omojuwa
GMB’s people should have ignored AIT though. You can make them irrelevant without necessarily barring them
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— JJ. Omojuwa (@omojuwa) April 28, 2015
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Oddy
Some Newspapers forged State House’s letter head and also forged a ‘memo’ claiming it came from GEJ’s desk. Did GEJ ‘bar’ them? NO!
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— Ayọ̀kúnlé Ọdékúnlé (@Oddy4real) April 27, 2015
Abang Mercy
Same President-elect with state security protection and now access to top classified information is now a private citizen by his supporters?
— AbangMercy (@AbangMercy) April 27, 2015
Adeyanju
For about 5years they criticized and insulted GEJ, did he bar anyone? Buhari the Draconian Dictator is back.
— Adeyanju Deji (@adeyanjudeji) April 28, 2015
Tolu ogunlesi
Barring is not Banning. The Buharists are polishing their own Stealing Is Not Corruption. Kwantinu.
— tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) April 28, 2015
APC & President-elect don’t need this media ‘restriction’ wahala at this time. No justification for it, esp considering GMB press reputation
— tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) April 28, 2015
Omoyele Sowore
I totally & vehemently condemn the action of the security team of GMB barring AIT news from covering his events pic.twitter.com/GIogVJ3xWY
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) April 28, 2015
Chxta of Greece
Credit to @APCNigeria for nipping this with relative speed. Outgoing regime would have been unlooking. But next time, think before acting.
— Chxta of Greece (@Chxta) April 28, 2015
Kayode Ogundamisi
f General @MBuhari barring AIT is disappointing, the decision should be reversed, whomever advised him do not wish him well AT ALL.
— Kayode Ogundamisi (@ogundamisi) April 28, 2015
FOR
#AIT ban is MUCH MORE important than #NNPC audit. Principles trump incidents; Oversight trumps any disaster. @GbengaGOLD @gbengasesan
— NigeriaDotCom (@NigeriaDotCom) April 28, 2015
Gbenga Gold
Buhari’s media adviser cited “family and security concerns.” Enough to bar anyone from anywhere in my book #AITStepAside
— Gbenga Olorunpomi (@GbengaGOLD) April 28, 2015
The Godfather
When Jonathan went seizing newspapers & magazines using the army, were you blind? How did don’t come near me an infringement by GMB? Clowns
— The Godfather (@Ayourb) April 28, 2015
@thecableng AIT demonstrated senseless journalism, shameless sycophancy. They need regular classes in ETHICAL CONSIDERATION & DATA ACT.
— Jaliyyah Bello (@JaliyyahBello) April 27, 2015
@thecableng They displayed completely an act of unprofessionalism during the presidential elections. No ethics in their journalism
— Mustang (@rumarc1987) April 27, 2015
Well, Buhari hasn’t barred AIT from publishing his story. He only prohibits them from coverage. At least, they can credit their source Ok!
— OLUKUNLE BUSAYO (@Olukunlebusayo) April 27, 2015
@omojuwa People only scream when Buhari turns off AIT. Akpabio and Wike have since barred The Nation newspaper from covering state events
— AJE (@Riddwane) April 28, 2015
Are you people fools? Buhari didn’t SANCTION or BAN AIT, he only BARRED them from covering him until they sort out their ethics issues
— One Hustler Like Dat (@swish_mr) April 28, 2015
Meanwhile… Garba Shehu: Buhari resting in UK. Lai Moh’d: He’s on a working visit. GS: AIT is barred. LM: AIT isn’t barred. Interesting
— Demola Olarewaju (@DemolaRewaju) April 28, 2015
Well, Buhari only barred AIT from covering events about his family and personal life. What is wrong in this? https://t.co/XPfKcWbOFt
— ASOH (@nelsonasoh) April 28, 2015
