How Nigerians on Twitter responded to Buhari’s AIT snub

The All Progressives Congress (APC) may have issued a statement to douse the tension generated by Shehu Garba’s earlier statement that African Independent Television (AIT) had been barred from covering the activities of Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s president-elect.

But before APC said AIT could cover the president-elect’s activities, Nigerians were already enmeshed in some fiery social-media arguments, for and against the short-lived boycott.

Here is a sample of the arguments

AGAINST

@MrFixNigeria

Buhari, by this action is proving the AIT documentary right. How many Nigerians can he ban from criticizing him when he assumes office?

— Ohimai Godwin Amaize (@MrFixNigeria) April 28, 2015

Dele Momodu

The decision to ban AIT should be rescinded immediately with apologies; elections have come and gone and we must forgive one another!

— Dele Momodu (@DeleMomodu) April 27, 2015

PHlowz

Jona kneels for prayers; How can a president do that in public, he is our president. GMB bars AIT; Its his function, he can. Odiegwu!

— the OVERpHLowz™ (@Phlowz) April 27, 2015

Omojuwa

GMB’s people should have ignored AIT though. You can make them irrelevant without necessarily barring them

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— JJ. Omojuwa (@omojuwa) April 28, 2015

Oddy

Some Newspapers forged State House’s letter head and also forged a ‘memo’ claiming it came from GEJ’s desk. Did GEJ ‘bar’ them? NO!

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— Ayọ̀kúnlé Ọdékúnlé (@Oddy4real) April 27, 2015

Abang Mercy

Same President-elect with state security protection and now access to top classified information is now a private citizen by his supporters?

— AbangMercy (@AbangMercy) April 27, 2015

Adeyanju

For about 5years they criticized and insulted GEJ, did he bar anyone? Buhari the Draconian Dictator is back.

— Adeyanju Deji (@adeyanjudeji) April 28, 2015

Tolu ogunlesi

Barring is not Banning. The Buharists are polishing their own Stealing Is Not Corruption. Kwantinu.

— tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) April 28, 2015

APC & President-elect don’t need this media ‘restriction’ wahala at this time. No justification for it, esp considering GMB press reputation

— tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) April 28, 2015

Omoyele Sowore

I totally & vehemently condemn the action of the security team of GMB barring AIT news from covering his events pic.twitter.com/GIogVJ3xWY

— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) April 28, 2015

Chxta of Greece

Credit to @APCNigeria for nipping this with relative speed. Outgoing regime would have been unlooking. But next time, think before acting.

— Chxta of Greece (@Chxta) April 28, 2015

Kayode Ogundamisi

 f General @MBuhari barring AIT is disappointing, the decision should be reversed, whomever advised him do not wish him well AT ALL.

— Kayode Ogundamisi (@ogundamisi) April 28, 2015

FOR

#AIT ban is MUCH MORE important than #NNPC audit. Principles trump incidents; Oversight trumps any disaster. @GbengaGOLD @gbengasesan

— NigeriaDotCom (@NigeriaDotCom) April 28, 2015

Gbenga Gold

Buhari’s media adviser cited “family and security concerns.” Enough to bar anyone from anywhere in my book #AITStepAside

— Gbenga Olorunpomi (@GbengaGOLD) April 28, 2015

The Godfather

When Jonathan went seizing newspapers & magazines using the army, were you blind? How did don’t come near me an infringement by GMB? Clowns

— The Godfather (@Ayourb) April 28, 2015

@thecableng AIT demonstrated senseless journalism, shameless sycophancy. They need regular classes in ETHICAL CONSIDERATION & DATA ACT.

— Jaliyyah Bello (@JaliyyahBello) April 27, 2015

@thecableng They displayed completely an act of unprofessionalism during the presidential elections. No ethics in their journalism

— Mustang (@rumarc1987) April 27, 2015

Well, Buhari hasn’t barred AIT from publishing his story. He only prohibits them from coverage. At least, they can credit their source Ok!

— OLUKUNLE BUSAYO (@Olukunlebusayo) April 27, 2015

@omojuwa People only scream when Buhari turns off AIT. Akpabio and Wike have since barred The Nation newspaper from covering state events

— AJE (@Riddwane) April 28, 2015

Are you people fools? Buhari didn’t SANCTION or BAN AIT, he only BARRED them from covering him until they sort out their ethics issues

— One Hustler Like Dat (@swish_mr) April 28, 2015

Meanwhile… Garba Shehu: Buhari resting in UK. Lai Moh’d: He’s on a working visit. GS: AIT is barred. LM: AIT isn’t barred. Interesting

— Demola Olarewaju (@DemolaRewaju) April 28, 2015

Well, Buhari only barred AIT from covering events about his family and personal life. What is wrong in this? https://t.co/XPfKcWbOFt

— ASOH (@nelsonasoh) April 28, 2015