2015 Election: Buhari applauds media for professionalism

General Muhammadu Buhari

By Oluwagbenga Bankole
The President elect of the Federal Republic Nigeria General Muhammadu Buhari has applauded the media for its role in the just concluded general elections.

Speaking at the today Saturday 25^th April 25 during 2015 Biennial Convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, General Buhari said that any meeting of the Guild is always an important national event because of the role which the Press, our very vibrant press has played and continues to play in the overall development of our nation’s democracy.

Buhari who was represented by the Vice President elect Yemi Osibanjo acknowledged that all Nigerians including politicians are aware of the moderating role played by the press at all levels during the election.

“It is instructive and delightful to note that this year’s meeting of the Guild is coming so soon after a major political event in our country and in which the press including the radio and television played a critical role. This was the 2015 elections for which reason all sorts of predictions and doomsday scenarios were bandied about. Thankfully the election has come and gone relatively peacefully and Nigeria for pulling it through is now hailed by the comity of nations as a modern democracy. All Nigerians including politicians are aware of the moderating role played by the press at all levels. I want on behalf of our people to say thank you, for a job well done. Nigerians now have the change of government they desire and for the first time, it was possible for a party in opposition to defeat a party in power following the people’s will,” Buhari stated.

While acknowledging the important role played by the media in bringing the present change about, he said the work of the press is not yet over.

He added that; “The incoming administration would like the press to continue its role of watchmen and women, aggregating the views and positions of the people on national issues and presenting these as lucidly as possible through publication and other channels to the government to guide it in the onerous task of providing good governance for our people.”  

He stated that Nigeria is a huge country and no government can be able to know all that is happening across the length and breadth of the country without assistance of the media which has an impressive national reach, adding that there is no modern society or government that can neglect the press or can function without a vibrant media.

He also said that; “As Editors, members of the Guild play the role of gate-keepers, deciding for good or ill what goes into the media and what is kept out. Though no Editor is dictatorial or meant to be, but to ensure that there is order and responsibility, those who developed the press over the centuries in their wisdom, invested the Editor with these powers.”