The Dilemma Of A Nigerian Journalist-Cum-Politician: An Open Letter To Dr. Reuben Abati (Part 1) -By David Nwaze, Esq.

Let me commence this piece by extending kind greetings to you, and the entire ARISETV team, particularly that of ‘The Morning Show’, for the zeal, dedication and commitment to ensuring good journalism at these trying times of our beloved nation. The organization of the peculiar programme; from the topics, presenters, guests, and their sequence of presentations, is topnotch and hence the upsurge of viewers all over Nigeria, and globally. Undoubtedly, I am certain your experience played a greater role in bringing such swift and massive positive impact on the media outfit in Nigeria. Indeed, truth be told, it is not a surprise that the popular ‘The Morning Show’ on ARISETV, is one of the most watched programmes in your station by all Nigerians. Correspondingly, it is correct to say that Nigerians, particularly those without, are informed of the state of their motherland, including burning issues arising, from the said programme.

Ordinarily speaking, prima facie, with you there, ‘The Morning Show’ crew is, or rather ought to be, complete and enriched to achieve its objectives, and to the unreserved commendation of most Nigerians. Alas! Sometimes, the viewers are left bewildered by the manner and style in the presentation of your views and opinions, even to issues and facts of common knowledge; this is the objective-in-chief of this piece, from a son to a father, bona fide. Let me make haste to state that being an ‘influencee’ of your works, putting this piece was a fair battle, between my heart and hand, which stretched so many days and there are two principal reasons this is made open: first, as a public father figure in the field, your mentorship is being put into question of some sort; it is cowardice for a son to ignore the perceived threats aimed at the reputation of his father. Secondly, the seeming anomalies which this piece is seeking to draw your attention to are within public glare; you will agree with me, or even if you don’t, that when a public impression holds sway for too long a time with such tenacious persistency (even just among a few) it may be (mis)construed into some reality or half-truth. Even as I write, I have not forgotten the sacred words of the Holy book which admonishes that we “rebuke not an elder but entreat him as a father”; the entreatment for me is the keyword at this moment.

As a deliberate but circumspect decision, I have refrained from citing specific instances or contextual references, which I believe every ardent follower of ‘The Morning Show’ may confirm the numerous occurrences at various times, particularly when the discuss is on the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s (PMB) or the government’s (in)action, policy, decision, approach, system, method etc. Lastly sir, any cited impression or perception herein is not necessarily that of your son, the writer, but a mere signpost of the (some) viewers’ state of mind, after all, they say feedback is an integral aspect of communication. I shall delve into the substance of this piece in simple and straightforward diction anon.

Firstly, one of the core principles of ethical journalism is truthfulness, this is elementary. Regrettably sir, to the disappointment and disdain of many viewers, you have consistently failed to call a spade by its name or address issues as they appear, particularly while analyzing sensitive topics on the current administration; oftentimes attempting to fairly avoid or paint some colourful picture of hard unacceptable glaring facts, especially where these facts are non-applaudable.

Some Nigerians are belaboring to corroborate their impression of your ‘political journalism’, ‘political’, not in the sense of being partisan, but in consciously maintaining some level of neutrality (even when inappropriate) as part of the gimmicks of some perceived anticipated gain; state differently, your discreetness in expressing your perspectives and analysis on the ills of PMB’s administration has become suspicious. Such impression has become a concern for Nigerians because as a seasoned fearless journalist par excellence, outright reprehension and condemnation ought to be the approach, no matter whose ox is gored.

Abysmally too, it has also been palpably noticed severally that even when a co-presenter, or guest, is passionately making some of these deserved condemnations of the present government, your abruptly intermittent interruptions and digressive remarks are irking to some (most) viewers. On the contrary, Nigerians think these condemnations should be, more so, given the laughable antics of the present administration where firstly, any person holding and/or expressing a contrary opinion is a perceived enemy of the government and hater of Mr. President, and secondly, the declaration of a seeming ‘war’ against press freedom, demonstrated severally especially in the imposition of bans and ridiculous fines at the slightest criticism, without any fair-hearing. Will you prefer to sit on the fence and compromise, by inaction or deliberate quietude, the values of the profession in order to lay, or indirectly continue to so lay, a pathway for impunity in a democratic setup like Nigeria? I do not think so, your political career notwithstanding.

Thirdly, akin to the above vexed issues is your several attempts at creating extreme balances, nay, rationalizations of some unhealthy and cleanly reprehensible systems, policies, (in)actions, policies etc. of the current administration; this has shown not to be acceptable especially at this critical time where the said administration is making all efforts at stifling freedom of expression and curtailing press freedom. Again, while one may contemplate your neutrality in professionalism, at least in theory, in some far reaching thoughts, one may think of you as an ‘opposition journalist’, i.e., a politician whose service under the former administration is still very green, and therefore should be highly critical to this administration. The irony presently is that the seeming desperate attempts at balancing or rationalizing what should otherwise remain condemnable in this government, and unreservedly so, remains a wonder to many Nigerians and is further strengthening the widely-held view that it would not be a surprise, and may not be too long from now, if you are appointed into this administration in whatever capacity.

While it appears not bad in itself as a politician, of note is that for now and taking one step at a time, you assume the role of a journalist on the programme and accordingly, your reputation in the calling (journalism I mean) is at stake and so many watching and listening to you lately on the programme are sometimes embittered at your views and analysis of burning issues, especially where government is involve.

Sir, as you already know, it cannot be gainsaid that Nigeria, as a nation, is arguably going through the darkest period of her existence, indeed what some people have pessimistically described as Nigeria being at a brink of collapse. From the economy, to security, corruption etc., the perception index of the negative realities about our nationhood is at all times high; continuous rise in the Dollar, under-employment, kidnapping and abduction which has gained legitimacy as a business venture and means of survival, Fulani herdsmen expansively ravaging every part of the country and finally the activities of the Unknown Gun Men (UGM). These are truths staring us on the face, and this is notwithstanding the tool of propaganda employed by this government in hoodwinking Nigerians towards restating and reinforcing failures come 2023.

Furthermore, in such critical times as we have now in our nation, I still think that ‘The Morning Show’ is a potent tool in shaping and driving the activities of our government – This country is in dire need of you to champion a new course of activism in journalism geared towards maintaining the sanctity of Press freedom in our democracy; I can assure you that Nigerians are eagerly waiting for a peculiar move from you. Like you know better, apart from the appropriate dissemination of information, another germane onus on journalists and media houses should be the critical analysis of government policies and programmes, particularly as it affects the masses.

While the short term effect is watchdogging, the long term effect of such typical journalism is, not just putting the masses in a better position to know and understand the piloting trajectories of the leaders, but also to guide them in proper decision making when approaching the ballot box.

As I draw the curtain sir, you must be persuaded that the views, impressions, perceptions and opinions expressed herein is akin to a ‘gossip’ – a rumor or report of an intimate nature, about your presentations on ‘The Morning Show’ in so far as the government of Nigeria is in focus. Whereas the sacrosanctity of my, nay, our respect for the impact you have made on journalism in Nigeria remains untouched and intact, I urge you not to hastily dismiss the issues raised here by a simple waive of hand but with deep introspection, calmly look into all what has been said with a view to striking the necessary balance between raw journalism and your political ambition. On the propriety, vel non, of these public impressions, perceptions and speculations, only time will tell. On behalf of so many Nigerians, I am optimistic that the impact of this letter (which is context-specific: The Morning Show) would come hastily.

Please, extend my esteemed regards to Rufai (the future of journalism in Nigeria), and other co-presenters of ‘The Morning Show’; hoping for the opportunity to grace the platform some day.
Thank you.

David Nwaze, Esq. is a legal practitioner and public affairs analyst base in Lagos. All comments to davidnwaze@gmail.com