Presidency criticizes The Guardian’s article, says it advocates for military intervention

By Kunle Sanni

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has criticized The Guardian newspaper’s lead story from October 25, 2024, titled “Calls for Military Intervention: Misery, Harsh Policies Driving Nigerians to Desperate Choices.”

In a statement released on Saturday, October 26, 2024, Onanuga accused The Guardian of promoting unrest and undermining responsible journalism by suggesting that military intervention might address Nigeria’s economic and political challenges.

The article by The Guardian discusses growing frustration among Nigerians over the rising cost of living and dissatisfaction with the political elite. Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic transition in 1999, it notes that, 25 years later, governance issues have led some citizens to consider military intervention as a possible solution.

The presidency condemned The Guardian’s editorial approach, arguing that the combination of a provocative headline and imagery could encourage individuals to challenge Nigeria’s democratic foundations. Onanuga cited a passage from the article:

“Nigerians were exhilarated with the return of democracy in 1999, but 25 years on, the buccaneering nature of politicians, their penchant for poor service delivery, morbid hatred for probity, accountability, and credible/transparent elections, among others, are forcing some flustered citizens to make extreme choices, including calling for military intervention in governance… Deep despondency permeates every facet of the polity consequent upon soaring cost of living. 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.”

Onanuga questioned The Guardian’s intentions, stating, “How can The Guardian present an argument for military intervention while superficially denouncing it, unless it harbors a deliberate agenda?” He described the editorial as part of a troubling trend in which The Guardian “persistently propagates inflammatory and negative narratives, threatening the foundations of responsible journalism.”

Onanuga argued that the article appears to support military intervention, despite a nominal disclaimer, and that The Guardian relied heavily on emotive language and imagery—such as illustrations of military tanks—without presenting a balanced view. He emphasized that this one-sided perspective overlooks positive economic developments under President Tinubu’s administration, including the recent decline in Nigeria’s revenue-to-debt service ratio from 97% in 2023 to 68% in 2024, as well as GDP growth of 2.98% in the first quarter of 2024.

The government’s statement highlighted the dangers of media advocacy for regime change, especially during challenging political and economic times. Citing recent comments by Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Onanuga pointed to key economic improvements:

“Nigeria’s foreign reserves rose to $39.1 billion on October 22, with GDP growth reaching 2.98% in Q1 2024—up from 2.31% in Q1 2023. This growth was driven by sectors beyond oil, including financial services, mining, and quarrying, marking a shift in our economic structure. For two consecutive quarters, Nigeria has recorded trade surpluses, exporting more than it imports.”

The presidency stressed that given these developments, it is irresponsible for any publication, including The Guardian, to advocate for military intervention over temporary hardships. The statement urged The Guardian to adopt a more cautious approach to serve its readers and the nation better.

Onanuga further referenced The Guardian’s own experience with censorship under military rule in 1984, emphasizing that a return to such a regime would threaten the freedoms Nigerians fought hard to secure.

He urged The Guardian and other media platforms to exercise caution, underscoring the importance of restraint and responsibility in journalism. “Good journalism is characterized by restraint and a commitment to the national interest,” Onanuga stated, calling on the media to support unity and patience as Nigeria undergoes economic reforms.

In light of recent improvements in economic indicators, including foreign reserves reaching $39.1 billion and a positive trade balance, the presidency’s statement encouraged the public and media to rally behind government efforts to guide Nigeria toward a more stable future.