By Akinwale Kasali
Following remarks he, allegedly, made on Professor Sandy Onor, of the Peoples Democratic Party, Arise TV’s Anchor Rufai Oseni, has been asked for an apology.
Professor Onor is the Presidential Candidate of Minister Nyesom Wike’s faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Candidate. The PDP has claimed,`
Prof. Sandy Onor, the Party has described the remark as derogatory against the person of Onor.
The party had in a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, stated that Oseni’s remark was unacceptable, alleging that it was capable of damaging the reputation of its Presidential Candidate.
Oseni had allegedly made the remark during Thursday’s edition of The Morning Show on Arise TV.
According to the party, Oseni’s co-presenter on the programme, former Presidential spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati, had immediately cautioned him over the potential defamatory nature of the comment.
The PDP said while Journalists has the right to scrutinise political actors and express opinions on public affairs, such freedom should not extend to insulting or ridiculing political candidates.
The Party is, therefore, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the remark and a public apology from Oseni to Onor.
It also stressed that the Management of Arise TV should caution its presenters/journalists from using its platform to ridicule or disparage its Presidential Candidate under the guise of political commentary.
The PDP further threatened to consider legal options to protect Onor’s reputation if what it described as defamatory remarks continued.
“No journalist, regardless of his platform or perceived influence, is above the law,” the party said.
Speaking further, the Party in the statement urged journalists and broadcasters to uphold what it described as responsible journalism in their coverage of political candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
For the records, Wike is not supporting his PDP faction’s Presidential Candidate. He is supporting, very strongly, APC’s President Bola Tinubu who is seeking a second term in office.
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