Daddy D.O @DOlusegun

Remarks by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, held on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at the National Press Centre, Abuja.

The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has maintained an open arm relationship with the media. It is in line with the philosophy of the President as an avowed democrat who spent a lifetime fighting for the entrenchment of democracy and human rights.

This administration has remained very tolerant of media criticism and guaranteed citizens' rights to freedom of expression. It is however disheartening that some elements are abusing this free environment guaranteed by the Government. We are alarmed by the level of reckless reporting and statements by some media organisations and individuals that border on national security and stability.

While we sometimes view and treat those occasional reporting as part of media's normal work, we have now seen a pattern that is difficult to be wished away as normal journalism.

The insidious and inciting publications by the Daily Trust these past months have come across as nothing but a deliberate effort to brush the government with a tar. On many occasions we have restrained ourselves from believing that this was the case but the consistency of the jejune and mischievous publications leaves us with no option.

In the aftermath of the coup in Niger Republic, Daily Trust championed a jaundiced narrative that the Federal Government was driving the country into a war and twisted it with regional sentiment to cause disaffection. The same newspaper gave a banner headline to a baseless accusation that the Government was working on citing foreign military bases in the country. Neither Daily Trust nor originators of that imaginative allegation provided any shred of evidence.

Then just two weeks ago, Daily Trust concocted and popularised a lie that the Federal Government had renamed the Murtala Mohammed Expressway in Abuja to Wole Soyinka Way. In all those instances all that the paper depended on were falsehood and hearsays. They also showed no remorse or the humility to recant.

We however did not envisage that Daily Trust and people behind it could decend to the reckless level of attempting to set the country on fire by falsely accusing the government of signing a deal to promote LGBTQ. We found that despicable and wicked because the allegation is nowhere in the document signed. Surprisingly, the paper put forward no evidence nor provided the agreement allegedly signed to prove their point.

The baseless and sensational story unfortunately formed a basis for khutba (sermons) by some of our respected imams who were misled by the story thereby raising tempers.

On the part of the Government, we continue on the honourable path of civility by restraining ourselves from taking self-help or draconian measures. While past governments clamped down on the media for infractions much lower than this, we are however toeing the path of civility and the rule of law.

This afternoon, I have the Honourable Minister of Budget and National Planning to provide more clarity on this issue.

But beyond this, the Federal Government is lodging a formal complaint to the NPAN Ombudsman on this irresponsible reporting.

In addition, the Federal Government will use every lawful means to seek redress in the court of law.

The Federal Government once again restates its friendly policy towards ethical media and free speech. We would however not take fake news and disinformation that would injure the peace of our country and it's national security lightly.

We once again thank you for your support and cooperation.

Daddy D.O @DOlusegun

The Federal Government is lodging a formal complaint to the NPAN Ombudsman on this irresponsible reporting from @daily_trust .

In addition, the Federal Government will use every lawful means to seek redress in the court of law. - @HMMohammedIdris

Daddy D.O @DOlusegun

While respecting the freedom of speech and expression of all citizens and the fourth estate, the FG will make an official report against @daily_trust to the Newspapers Proprietors of Nigeria and use the court to seek redress against the misinformation and fake news of @daily_trust - @HMMohammedIdris

Daddy D.O @DOlusegun

Happening Now: Minister of Information, @HMMohammedIdris and Hon Minister of Budget and National Planning, HM Atiku Bagudu are addressing a Press Conference to provide further Samoa Agreement at the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium.

Fake news is bad

Good. No gree for anybody.

Agbado no dey carry northern votes play

I think the newspaper just made speculations like others also... I might be wrong sha

If they do this, then they'll also start doing the same to other papers that make any speculations about unfavourable government activities

When Bigotry and Hatred forms the basis of your thinking na this kain thing dey happen.

Reporting Falsehood, dem think say na Nairaland dem dey abi X. Unfortunately if care is not taken na Underground dem dey go so ooo.

Wreckless dictators

Ok

You haven't been friendly with the media, make we hear word.....u did more than this to GEJ....make una rest

Best thing to do

They are eventually coming for everyone

Greenfusion:
You haven't been friendly with the media, make we hear word.....u did more than this to GEJ....make una rest

Is GEJ foolish not to counter lies against his administration in the court of law?

If he fail to do that, how is that Tinubu fault?

To be honest, Nigeria’s SMs, media space and info feed generally are lately filled of too many mischievous and pernicious fake news that need to be checked.
Unfortunately how do we draw the line on the check without hampering on freedom of speech?!

Greenfusion:
You haven't been friendly with the media, make we hear word.....u did more than this to GEJ....make una rest

If only that man (GEJ) had balls. Things may have been different.

No to homo whatever in my country #$aynoto homo

No to homo whatever in my country $aynoto homo

Karma just dey worry Tinubu anyhow
2027 will be very interesting
Daily Trust na weapon for El Rufai and Kwankwaso

Samoa Agreement or not, one thing is certain that Tinubu is the worst President in the history of Nigeria, if not Africa. The man was highly overrated and his cluelessness is beyond words. He can't point to one single (positive) thing he managed to achieve over a year in office an he now wants be a clueless dictator.

After they finish taking the money, then they come and tell us it is fake news? The worst form of govt, is the 1 taken by force, and still yet has no clue of how to govern.

The wicked FG runneth when no one pursueth

Ah an

TenderManiac:
Wreckless dictators

You have a big problem. If you can't comprehend the whole report.

Federal government must take action against Daily Trust to improve Nigeria.

Truth is bitter

The Management of This Day must be jittery by now. I think their overdo sef too much! Including their company Arise News.
Make them hear am small.

It's just that FG is not paying attention anymore to Sahara reporters; they are the masters of jumping to their own conclusion!

I have discovered that our journalist don't read and are too eager to write what they assume I'm their head rather than what they investigated! Immediately I saw that long epistles in DT I was wondering how educated ministers would sign a doc the NA has criminalize!

Nigeria is a sovereign state and very strong at their stand, forget our mumu economy!

naptu2:
Daddy D.O @DOlusegun



Daddy D.O @DOlusegun

Atiku Abubakar is bankrolling this

Isaacc729l:


Is GEJ foolish not to counter lies against his administration in the court of law?

If he fail to do that, how is that Tinubu fault?

Did i say it's Tinubu's fault?......my statement is borne out of the thought of karma...what u do to others sha return to u....simple!.....he shouldn't complain.

Atiku is paying Daily Trust to publish lies against the government.