Atiku to NBC : Your directive can undermine independence

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned a new election-related code of conduct advisory from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), labeling it a strategic attempt to muzzle the press and manipulate political narratives ahead of the 2027 polls.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticized a recent directive from the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), warning that the move is a calculated effort to erode press freedom and stifle open discourse as Nigeria approaches another election cycle. In a statement released via his X account on Saturday, April 18, 2026, the opposition leader described the regulatory body’s new Code of Conduct advisory as a “troubling attempt” to restrict the country’s democratic space. Atiku argued that the timing of such measures suggests a shift away from upholding journalistic standards toward a more coordinated effort to influence political narratives. “The Code of Conduct advisory issued by the National Broadcasting Commission is yet another troubling attempt to muzzle the media and shrink the space for free expression in Nigeria,” he maintained.

The former Vice President expressed concern that the media, which has built a formidable global reputation for resilience and professionalism, is being subjected to recurring seasonal constraints that hinder its core watchdog function. Atiku noted that instead of reinforcing ethics, the frequent introduction of such advisories during election seasons serves to intimidate broadcasters and limit the diversity of opinion available to the electorate. He emphasized that the media must remain a neutral arbiter and a platform for all political voices, rather than being managed into a narrow, state-sanctioned perspective. “Our media industry has grown into a formidable institution, respected globally for its resilience and professionalism,” Atiku stated, urging for the protection of its independence.

Concluding his statement, Atiku challenged the NBC to treat professional ethics as a permanent commitment rather than a temporary tool for political control. He stressed that the integrity of the 2027 general elections depends on a press that is free from overbearing regulatory interference. “Ethical standards are not seasonal tools to be weaponised during campaigns, they are constant obligations,” he added. The NBC’s advisory comes amid a wider debate over the 2026 Electoral Act and media compliance, with several opposition figures calling for a more transparent and inclusive framework that ensures the media can hold government and political actors accountable without fear of sanction.

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