Press freedom under siege in Osun, APM tells Adeleke Govt

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Osun State has condemned the Governor Ademola Adeleke-led administration over what it described as undue probing and veiled threats issued against media managers in the state.

In a statement issued and signed by the Chairman of APM in the state, Adewale Adebayo, on Monday, the party frowned at the actions of the Adeleke-led government, which he said were not only targeted at opposition voices but also marked a dangerous regression into authoritarianism.

Adebayo emphasised that such actions are unacceptable in a state that should pride itself on transparency, good governance, and democratic plurality.

Citing Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the APM chairman insisted that the press has a constitutional mandate to operate freely and hold the government accountable without fear of retribution.

The statement partly read:
“We are not in a military dispensation but a democratic society. Hence, the media cannot be government propaganda machinery but should serve as a watchdog of democracy and a platform for all voices.

“The recent attempt by the Adeleke-led administration to stifle this space under the guise of ‘breach of broadcasting codes’ and ‘incitement to violence’ is a calculated clampdown on independent media outlets and their executives for accommodating the views of opposition leaders. This act of suppression undermines press freedom and poses a direct threat to democratic engagement and transparency in Osun State. It is not only unethical but also unconstitutional for any government to attempt to silence this bridge simply because it carries messages that may be inconvenient or critical of those in power.”

The former Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) chairman called on civil society organisations, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and all defenders of free speech to rise up and resist what he described as an encroachment on press freedom in Osun State.

Adebayo also urged the state government to immediately halt all forms of harassment and intimidation of media professionals and instead focus on addressing the legitimate concerns raised by the people and the opposition.