SIR: Recently, Bayo Onanuga responded to The Guardian lead story about how the economic frustrations of Nigerians in the hands of the Tinubu government are increasing sentiments in favour of the return of military dictatorship. Onanuga himself quoted a part of The Guardian story that said: “And while the political elite splurge on fine wines and exotic automobiles amid poor service delivery, calls for regime change could become more strident in the days ahead even though military insurrection holds no solution to the country’s woes;” but he went ahead to accuse The Guardian for using the same report to “present an argument for military intervention.” This dissonance is not strange with apologetics of authoritarianism who will do anything, including the twisting of logic, to undermine the democratic principles of free press in their attempt to silence critical voices in the country. 

To those leading this administration, any criticism of this administration translates to a call for military takeover – a line of thought that has been echoed within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) circles since Nigerians questioned the last general elections results till during the recent #EndBadGovernance protests. That protest showed that Nigeria’s democracy is only on paper.

It is therefore another master class in gaslighting to read Onanuga lecture us on how we can hold on to this democracy on paper by relinquishing true democracy and its essential component of press freedom. Like the Yorubas will often say, Onanuga wants to ‘collect an eventful Owambe Saturday from us and give us a silent, holy and event-less Sunday’. 

Rather than engage the substance of The Guardian article, Onanuga dismissed all the legitimate criticisms and concerns and focused on the abstract and inaccurate economic indicators of progress by this administration. Even if we assume without conceding that the economic indicators were accurate, is the amount of human rights’ violations and suppression of dissent by this government not enough to push the masses into misery and frustration?

Critical journalism like the content of that The Guardian article is essential for accountability and democratic growth, and this vituperation by a representative of the administration shows that Nigerian democratic institutions like the media are in dire need of protection from the authoritarian tendencies of government.

Critical discourse that examines public life like this has become very necessary because of the poor governance that has driven a mass majority of Nigerians into endless economic struggles. The conversation sparked by that article was very necessary. The frustration of Nigerians with the Tinubu regime is on the other edge of desperation, and the administration should start reversing all of the austerity policies of this government that has impoverished the people.

Finally, the job of the press is to inform and generate necessary discussions about important social issues. Onanuga’s stance makes it easy to see that the intention is to ensure press reports no longer capture the side of the masses but only express the views of those in power. No news platforms worth their salt should ever want to be reduced to that. The Guardian should continue its work.
•Omole Ibukun is an activist and initiator of the Creative Change Centre, Abuja.