- CPI, MRA, CJID, others, urge Tinubu to improve on media freedom ahead of the 2027 election
A coalition of Nigerian and international press freedom organisations have criticised comments attributed to Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, claiming that no journalist has been harassed in the past three years since President Bola Tinubu assumed office.
The groups, namely, Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), the Africa Editors Forum (AEF), Media Rights Agenda (MRA), International Press Centre and International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria, expressed shock over the vice president’s comments.
In an open letter jointly addressed to President Tinubu, the groups described the VP’s remarks as “mischaracterization,” which reflect “a grave indifference to the numerous and well-documented attacks on the press” under President Tinubu’s administration, “including violent abuses and arrests by Nigerian security forces.”
The Vice President had reportedly, while speaking to members of the Nigerian Press Council, claimed that for the past three years under the present administration, no journalist has faced harassment. He added that their “tolerance threshold is so high.” Shettima was also quoted to have said that Tinubu’s administration had promoted “an environment that is conducive for journalists to carry out their duties without harassment.”
The groups expressed outrage over the remarks and called on President Tinubu to hold accountable all those responsible for all the attacks against the media that have taken place during and before his tenure, and also take further action to reform Nigerian laws that suppress and criminalize journalism practice.
They highlighted instances of attacks on the media, including arrest, detention and mistreatment of journalists in custody since Tinubu assumed office in 2023, that have been documented by various media rights organisations.
They said a couple of journalists have been unjustly prosecuted for their reporting, using defamation and cybercrime charges, especially by law enforcement agencies like the police. The groups noted that CPJ documented at least 56 journalists assaulted or harassed by Nigerian security forces or citizens while covering the #EndBadGovernance protests in August 2024.
“Masked security forces even fired bullets and tear gas in the direction of 18 working journalists,” the groups stated.
“Additionally, in 2024, the International Press Centre (IPC) documented 65 cases of attacks on journalists. These attacks varied from physical assault, harassment, threats to life, intimidation, murder, and unlawful and prolonged detentions.
“Media Rights Agenda’s 2025 annual report similarly tracked 86 incidents of attacks on press freedom across Nigeria and the International Press Institute Nigeria has identified a pattern of impunity for such incidents in the country.
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“The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), which tracks media freedom violations, has verified at least 231 attacks on the press since you took office, and in 2024 wrote to your office urging decisive action to stop such incidents.
“Since 1992, CPJ has documented the killing of at least 23 journalists in Nigeria, as well as two others who are missing and presumed dead. At least 13 of these journalists are confirmed to have been killed in connection with their work. One of those journalists is Onifade Emmanuel Pelumi, who was found dead in a mortuary days after he was seen in police custody after being shot while reporting in Ikeja, the Lagos State Capital, in 2020. Over five years later, despite repeated pleadings, Pelumi’s body has yet to be returned to his family.”
The groups expressed worry that there have been no meaningful efforts to end impunity when journalists are attacked, adding that Tinubu’s government even sought to appeal a court judgment ordering government action to improve press freedom and the investigation of attacks against the press.
The groups stressed that as the 2027 general elections approach, the president must take necessary steps to ensure that the press and Nigerian democracy are protected. They observed that during elections, which come with political tension, attacks on journalists often increase and called on Tinubu’s government to address it through informed actions.
They concluded the letter by stating that since Shettima referred to Tinubu’s administration as “a friend of the media,” it is time for the government to match those words with action, by holding those responsible for attacks on the media to account.
They also demanded the return of Pelumi’s body to his family, and charged the government to ensure that the periods before, during, and after the coming elections are safe for those who report the news.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist, scholar and analyst of socioeconomic issues in Nigeria and Africa. He is skilled in energy reporting, business and economy, and holds a master's degree in Mass Communication. He can be reached via @VICTOREZEJA on X
