Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticised a recent advisory issued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), warning that it could undermine press freedom in Nigeria, especially as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
In a post on his X account on Saturday, Atiku described the directive as a worrying effort to restrict free expression and tighten control over the media space.
He stated that the advisory represents “yet another troubling attempt to muzzle the media and shrink the space for free expression in Nigeria,” arguing that the timing raises serious concerns ahead of a politically sensitive period.
Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in 2023, also emphasised that Nigeria’s media sector has developed into a globally respected institution known for resilience and professionalism.
According to him, it is disturbing that regulatory actions of this nature tend to surface more frequently as elections approach, suggesting a pattern of excessive control rather than encouragement of ethical journalism.
He added 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 also aligned himself with media practitioners, stating that he stands in solidarity with broadcasters and journalists resisting what he described as creeping censorship.
He also questioned the motive behind the policy, suggesting it reflects an attempt to control public narratives rather than promote transparency in the electoral process.
Meanwhile, the NBC had earlier issued a statement noting what it called a “sustained increase” in violations of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, particularly in news, political, and current affairs programmes.
The commission warned broadcasters to maintain standards of “accuracy, balance, and professionalism” as the 2027 elections approach, insisting that compliance with the code is mandatory and not optional.
It also raised concerns about presenters allegedly expressing personal opinions as facts, denying opposing views fair hearing, and creating platforms for hate speech and divisive commentary.
The NBC said such breaches would attract sanctions.
The commission maintained that stricter enforcement was necessary to restore professionalism and credibility in broadcast journalism.
In response, Amnesty International also criticised the NBC’s directive, describing it as overly restrictive and capable of encouraging self-censorship among journalists and media organisations.
The organisation argued that the notice places undue pressure on the media and could weaken independent reporting.
Similarly, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has been vocal on related concerns, calling for the withdrawal of what it described as unlawful regulatory directives affecting broadcasters.
As reactions continue to trail the advisory, debates have intensified over the balance between media regulation and freedom of expression in Nigeria’s democratic space, particularly in the build-up to the 2027 elections.
