A heated exchange has erupted between the current administration and a former national leader regarding the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) latest regulatory guidelines. Otega Ogra, a high-ranking digital strategist for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, publicly rebuked Atiku Abubakar following the latter’s condemnation of a recent government mandate.
The friction began after the NBC issued a stern reminder to media outlets to uphold the Nigerian Broadcasting Code. The directive emphasized the necessity of:
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Objectivity and precision in reporting.
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Mitigating inflammatory rhetoric and public provocation.
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Strict adherence to professional standards as the 2027 election cycle approaches.
In response, Atiku characterized the NBC’s move as a calculated effort to stifle democratic discourse and intimidate journalists. He argued that the press should operate without the shadow of regulatory interference, particularly during sensitive political seasons.
The Administration’s Rebuttal
Ogra countered these accusations by pointing out historical inconsistencies in Atiku’s stance. In a social media statement, he highlighted a nearly identical regulatory warning issued in early 2007, a period during which Atiku held the Vice Presidency. Ogra questioned whether that previous directive was also a “malicious” attempt to suppress the opposition or simply a routine function of the agency.
The presidential spokesperson suggested that Atiku’s inability to differentiate between statutory oversight and authoritarian overreach was a concerning trait for a perennial presidential candidate.
Expanded Criticism
The dispute shifted from media policy to a critique of Atiku’s economic track record. Ogra leveraged the moment to revisit the former Vice President’s tenure as head of the National Council on Privatization. He attributed the decline or failure of several major state assets—including national telecommunications and steel infrastructures—to Atiku’s leadership during that era.
Ogra concluded his critique with a sharp jab at Atiku’s communications team, suggesting the former VP should more carefully vet the statements being released in his name to avoid appearing hypocritical or ill-informed.
