Bankers, students, others condemn clampdown on media in Kaduna

Adeboye Babalola, a banker,  in his reaction said one might be tempted to ask the question, why the clampdown?  “It hurts my heart to imagine a society where saying it the way it is becomes a crime. Whatever might be their reason; it is wrong to clampdown on the media. But as a matter of […]

Adeboye Babalola, a banker,  in his reaction said one might be tempted to ask the question, why the clampdown?  “It hurts my heart to imagine a society where saying it the way it is becomes a crime. Whatever might be their reason; it is wrong to clampdown on the media. But as a matter of fact, I stand to be corrected if I’m wrong; press has no freedom in Nigeria.
The clampdown is anti democracy, anti-people and absolutely not a good idea. Is this not a government that is re contesting in the next few months? Is this not a national conference organized for peace to reign in the nation? Is this how to make peace? Can they ever silence the media? The people are the media. No government has ever silenced the people”, he said.
On his own, Israel Bulus, a student, said the action is irresponsible in a country like Nigeria that practices democracy.  He said “Even in less developed countries, it is wrong to clampdown on the newspapers. Government should address this because it is unfortunate that these things are happening when we have a civilian president. The government must look at the issue critically and addressed it because military is under the government”
Nehemiah Baba-Karik, Politician, in his reaction posited that the clampdown on newspapers has a political undertone. “The President should have condemned such act by the military rather than justifying it through one of his aides. The newspapers are the voice of the voiceless and if the media cannot be accorded some level of freedom, the common man is finished in Nigeria”, he said.
A Management Consultant,  Wale Tejumade, while reacting on it simply put it as thus: “It’s a return to military era. It is an indication that shows you, we are just practicing military rule not democracy. It is clear”.
For Bashir Bello, a Journalist,  he said if this should continue, it means Nigerians have no hope neither do they have rights to speech. “The struggle for Nigeria’s independence was fought and won on the pages of Newspapers. Leadership of NUJ, NGE, NPAN and others should rise up to this because if it should continue rights of Nigerians will be violated”.
Another journalist, Isiah Benjamin, said it is absolutely undemocratic and unhealthy development  to clampdown on the media. “This is an infringement on the fundamental human rights of those that are supposed to be informing via the newspapers and those producing it.
There is no substantial reason given for the clampdown. There are better areas that require the attention of the military rather than running after the media. They cannot divert the attention of Nigerians. They should stop the clampdown and face their duty post”, he said.