The Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives
Congress, Gen . Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday said he
will not tamper with press freedom if elected as a
President on March 28.
He also said a change revolution is imminent in the
country without firing a shot .
Buhari, who gave the assurance at an interactive
session with members of the Newspaper Proprietors
Association of Nigeria ( NPAN) and the Nigerian Guild of
Editors ( NGE) in Abuja restated that he will not engage
in a debate with President Goodluck Jonathan .
He said : “I want to give you my full assurances that in
this democratic dispensation , I will ensure that the
Nigerian constitution is upheld . This includes respect for
the media, respect for the right to free expression and
freedom of speech . Page 1 of 2 any of you are aware of
Decree 4 of 1984, which was heavily criticised.
“I have said elsewhere that I cannot change the past .
But I can change the present and the future .
Dictatorship goes with military rule as do edicts such as
Decree 4.
“However , I am a former – former , note the emphasis on
the word ‘ former ’–military ruler and now a converted
democrat , who is ready to operate under democratic
norms.
“I am not only subjecting myself to the rigours of
democratic elections for the fourth time , but even after
being elected , I will continue to promote the
consolidation of democracy in our great country, Nigeria ,
by guaranteeing that the media ’ s freedom is not
compromised in any way .
“I give you my full assurances that the Nigerian media
will be free under our APC government. ”
He urged media owners and Editors to shun hate reports
and slanderous political rhetorics.
He said : “I also want to use this opportunity to appeal
to you to use your media outlets in shaping positive
public discourse and eschew hate speech mongering
and slanderous political rhetorics which heat up the
polity for the sake of peace and stability of our dear
nation.
“There are two specific reasons why I have invited you
here today . The first is to use the opportunity to say a
special thank you to the Nigerian media for the role you
have played in advancing our country’ s democracy thus
far, and especially for being a platform through which
Nigerians ’ cry for change was articulated all around the
world.
“On newspaper pages , TV screens and radio waves, the
alarming depth of corruption and impunity in our
country, the terrifying level of insecurity , and the grim
state of our economy were kept constantly before the
world’ s eyes, making it impossible for the current
government to doctor the truth, despite their meanest
efforts.
“I urge you not to relent in your role as watchdogs , to
continue to be the voice of the people . The health of
Nigeria ’ s democracy rests partly on you. Without a
robust and thriving media , the masses would have no
voice.
“The electorate would also not have sufficient
information to make sound decisions , such as deciding
to vote out a clueless government and vote in
CHANGE . ”
Buhari restated that change revolution is imminent in
the country without firing a shot .
He added : “Our country is on the verge of something
new . The tide has turned and the world can sense the
wave of change that is about to flood this nation. In
less than two weeks , the Nigerian electorate will head to
the polls to make their voices heard . “Through the
ballot , without a single shot fired , a change revolution
will likely take place . ”
After his speech, Buhari responded to questions from
some publishers and editors at the session .
But it was not without drama when the President of
NPAN , Prince Nduka Obaigbena , asked Buhari if he was
ready to apologize to two journalists who were jailed in
1984 under Decree 4.
Immediately after Obaigbena asked the question , the
Director- General of APC Presidential Campaign
Organization, Governor Rotimi Amaechi said : “Gen .
Buhari had already answered that question by saying he
cannot change the past but he can change present and
the future .”
Those at the session were the President of NPAN , Prince
Nduka Obaigbena; Deputy President of NPAN , Mallam
Kabiru Yusuf , the Publisher of Vanguard Press Limited ,
Sir, Sam Amuka Pemu , a former President of NPAN , Ray
Ekpu; the Publisher of Leadership Newspaper, Sam Nda
Isaiah, the representative of THE Guardian Publisher ,
Toke Ibru , the Managing Director / Editor - In- Chief of
Champion Newspaper , Mrs . Nwadiuto Iheakanwa; the
Publisher of Peoples Daily , Mallam Wada Maida ; the
Publisher of Blueprint Newspaper, Alh . Idris Mohammed ;
a former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors ,
Gbenga Adefaye ; the Managing Director / Editor -In - Chief
of New Telegraph, Mr. Eric Osagie ; the Chairman of
Liberty Radio, Tijjani Ramalan ; the Chairman of
Silverbird Television, Ben Murray Bruce ; and the
representative of the publisher of THE NATION , Yusuf
Alli among others.