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August 5, 2024
Akinnola said Musa’s statement is rather “unfortunate” because he is a soldier, not a political office holder in the presidency.
A veteran journalist and human rights lawyer, Richard Akinnola, has lambasted the Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, for asking media organisations in the country to stop covering the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
The protests draw attention to the economic hardship under President Bola Tinubu's government.
Akinnola said the defence chief has no locus standi to tell the media not to cover protests, stressing that even wars all over the world are covered by journalists, hence, the CDS has no right to tell the media not to give coverage to protesters.
SaharaReporters had reported that General Musa urged both international and local media to stop covering the ongoing 10-day nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
The CDS, who made the appeal during a press briefing last Friday said, “For the media, I want to appeal — I noticed yesterday all the stations are hooked up to the occasion. This is not an election. Don’t give them that coverage,” suggesting that the protesters are merely seeking media attention.
But reacting to the CDS’s statement, Akinnola said Musa’s statement is rather “unfortunate” because he is a soldier, not a political office holder in the presidency.
Akinnola said, “Dear General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, with due respect, you have no locus standi telling the Media not to cover protests.
“Even wars all over the world are covered by journalists, including by our own Aremo Segun Osoba, who covered the Nigerian civil war for Daily Times. So, you have no right to tell the media not to give coverage to protesters.
“Secondly, and this is quite unfortunate, you are a soldier, not a political office holder in the presidency.
“It is therefore a misnomer for you to veer out of your duties and be telling Nigerians that president Tinubu has just spent one year in office and could not have been expected to solve all our economic problems within one year.
“Please General, don’t drag the military into politics. That your statement is outside the purview of your responsibility as Chief of Defence Staff.
“That is the responsibility of presidential spokesmen and politicians. You have no business with politics.
“When you drop your uniform, which you would surely do one day, you can throw your hat into the political ring. No problem.
“But as long as you are wearing the military uniform, please steer clear of political talks and face your duty of securing the nation.”
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