How Nigerians on Twitter responded to Buhari’s AIT snub
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
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
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The decision to ban AIT should be rescinded immediately with apologies; elections have come and gone and we must forgive one another!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
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
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
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
Family and personal issues of the president elect cannot be compromised. Some people need to go back to school for some English lessons. Barring and banning are not the same, please. The APC only barred AIT untill they sought out issues relating ethical conducts,which is ok. Thank God GMB is never a commonner in all ramifications so he knows that is not everybody that will be happy with his actions or inactions. He should just go ahead with what he feels is better for his and forget what detractors will say about him or his Government/APC.
Obama also refused to appear on Fox News for similar reasons but no one says he was undemocratic. Read it here:
http://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/sep/02/rupertmurdoch.usa
This is ridiculous… It’s a democratic society, besides it has no effect on Nigeria and Nigerians.
Your comment..@sawstonite as sed rightly dat Obama refuse to appear. he didn’t barr any one nor any organization. bt in dis case of buhari he ordered dat AIT shuld be barred from his inaugural ceremony.