By Againstbabangida, with the use of materials by Media Rights Agenda and other sources
Babangida continues to make frantic efforts to court the Nigerian media. Recently, he sent out his foot workers to bring journalists together at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, and plead with them to support his political bid. Media operators, clearly knowing who IBB is and how he warred against the press, simply ignored him. The event flopped.

Not giving up, the convener of the meeting, Mr. Chidi Amuta, asked why the media should treat their friend with such apathy. According to Amuta, “This meeting is important because we need to solicit support for IBB when he finally declares his intention to contest the 2007 presidency. He has been a long time friend of the media and would certainly do a lot for journalists.”

So, againstbabangida.com asks: is Babangida a friend of the Nigerian mass media?

As usual, we based our findings on research, and conclude that Babangida was like HIV/AIDS to the media all through his miserable eight years in power. And these are the facts:

Characteristically, Babangida started out hiding behind the cloak of press freedom, having abrogated the obnoxious Decree 4 which punished journalists and whistle blowers heavily for non-patronizing reports.

Nonetheless,"The regime of General Ibrahim Babangida (August 27, 1985 to August 26, 1993) has the dubious distinction of having closed down or proscribed more newspapers and magazines than any other government in Nigeria's history" Forty-one newspapers and magazines were victims of this practice under the administration, some of them closed down or proscribed on two different occasions," says the Media Rights Agenda.

Twenty-five newspapers and magazines were shut down or proscribed by the Babangida Administration in 1993 alone following public agitation for a return to civil democratic rule and the government's desire to curtail expression of discontent with General Babangida's annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election results and his bid to remain in power indefinitely. In many instances, several other companies operating businesses unrelated to newspaper or magazine publication but sharing premises with targeted newspaper companies were also shut down and prevented from using their offices. This has happened in the sealing off of the premises of the Newbreed Organisation, Guardian Newspapers and Concord Press.
 
In the height of massive media repressions in the final weeks of the Babangida Administration, security agents invaded the premises of the Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC) in Abeokuta on July 22, 1993 and sealed off the premises putting an end to the operations of the radio and television stations run by the corporation.

It all started in 1986, with the killing of erudite Newswatch journalist, Dele Giwa, by a parcel bomb, a murder that the whole nation believed was plotted  from the highest echelons of government. The assault on the media continued, also with Newswatch. The execution of the proscription order on Newswatch magazine in 1987 is memorable. On April 5, 1987, about 30 heavily armed policemen led by a superintendent stormed the premises of Newswatch at"63, Oregun Road, in Ikeja, Lagos and sealed off their offices. The next day, the Federal Military Government announced that it had banned Newswatch for publishing the report of the 12 member Political Bureau submitted to the government on March 27, 1987.

Newswatch published the report in an exclusive cover story entitled "Third Republic: A New Political Agenda". The press secretary to the Chief of General Staff, Mallam Yusuf Mamman, who announced the ban, said Newswatch acted illegally and, irresponsibly in publishing the report as it would prejudice a balanced consideration of the recommendations of the Bureau and could cause confusion and disaffection among the diverse groups in the society. On April 10, 1987, the Government published the Newswatch (Proscription and Prohibition from Circulation) Decree No 6 of 1987 by which it banned the magazine for six months with effect from April 6. The ban was however lifted on August 26, 1987, less than two months to the expiration of the six month period.

Since then, the Babangida regime at varying periods had deported, detained or  shut down journalists or the media. Some newspapers that suffered under him include Concord Press Nigeria Limited, Guardian Newspapers Limited, Nationhouse Press Limited, Sketch Press Limited, Punch Nigeria Limited, Bendel Newspapers Corporation, African Concord Limited, Guardian Magazines Limited, and TELL Communications Limited.

Three newspapers in Lagos owned by John West Publications were shut down in March for thirteen days for what was described as "embarrassing publications" against the president and his wife, relating to the Jennifer Madike case described above. Under the heading "IBB, Maryam [Babangida] named in Jennifer's deal," the offending story, which appeared in the Lagos Evening News, reported the contents of a letter purportedly written by the chair of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency in which he justified the need to detain Madike under Decree 2. The paper's editor and news editor were arrested and detained for a few days.

The Lagos State government closed down the Guardian after its coverage of the student killings in Lagos.  Four journalists and two office assistants were arrested. The paper reopened nearly two weeks later. The journalists and assistants were released the next day without charge.

William Keeling, a correspondent for the British daily Financial Times, was expelled from Nigeria and declared persona non grata. The government accused him of writing inaccurate articles "ostensibly to cause mischief and disharmony among Nigerians and between Nigeria and the rest of the world." The government's statement cited an article in which Keeling had accused the government of not reporting about half of the extra five billion dollars that it was estimated to have earned from higher oil prices during the Gulf war.

When African Concord reported how Babangida tried to cover up the deep participation of his govermment in the crimes committed by the defunct BCCI Bank worldwide, he shut down the magazine. At the time, the late MKO Abiola was a close friend of IBB, and the closure should have been a forewarning to Abiola about the impending betrayal by his supposed friend, IBB. The African Concord journalists were required to beg Babangida as a pre-condition for the re-opening of their medium. The editorial team declined. The result is The News media company, as the journalist left in droves to form their own company. Babangida later re-opened African Concord, but today, the media house is dead and the owner is dead as well.

The reasons most frequently adduced by the government for closing down a newspaper house or banning a publication are irresponsibility and threat to national security or the unity of the country on the part of the affected newspaper. Such allegations are invariably never substantiated or presented before an independent adjudicatory body. The government often never cites the stories or series of articles published by the newspaper or magazine which necessitated the measures, leaving the publishers and members of the public to conjecture. For instance, the Federal Military Government initially proscribed all the publications by Concord Press Nigeria Limited and African Concord Limited on April 9, 1992 for six months.8 Although the premises were widely believed to have been sealed off following the African Concord magazines cover story in its April 13, 1992 edition entitled "Has IBB Given Up", the Minister for Information and Culture, Professor Sam Oyovbaire, said on April 15 that the government had "sufficient evidence to show that the action of the organisation undermined national security”.

When the Federal Military Government shut down the premises of six media organisations on July 22, 1993, the Secretary (Minister) for Information and Culture, Mr. Uche Chukwumerije, sought to justify the action by saying that the government was forced to resort to such measure because of the confirmed excesses of media institutions despite repeated warnings. He did not disclose which of their publications the government found offensive or when "the warnings" were issued. Chukwumerije merely alleged that:­

"The government is convinced that the media houses have completely mortgaged all professional ethics for money. The government has evidence that the businessman/politician has been using his paper for personal aggrandizement, had been funding another Lagos based newspaper, supplying it with newsprint and underwriting its salary bills"

Such "evidence" was not made public.

Use these tables to judge Babangida's record. He could not have been a friend of free press, nor a friend of the freedom of expression:

Newspapers Proscribed by the Federal Military Government or the Military Government of a State

 

NoNewspaper
Proscribed
Publishing CompanyPeriod of ProscriptionGovernment Responsible
1.The Sunday StarThe People's Star Press LimitedSept. 9, 1968 - (indefinitely)Brig. R. A. Adebayo, Military Gov. of Western State
2.Imole OwuroThe People's Star Press LimitedSept. 9, 1968 - (indefinitely)Brig. R. A. Adebayo, Military Gov. of Western State
3.National ConcordConcord Press Nigeria  LimitedApril 9, 1992 - April 23, 1992 Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
4.National ConcordConcord Press Nigeria  LimitedJuly 22, 1993 to Nov. 18, 1993Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
5.National ConcordConcord Press Nigeria  LimitedJune 11, 1994 to dateAdmin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
6.The GuardianGuardian Press Nigeria LimitedAug. 15 1994 to dateAdmin. of  Gen. Sani Abacha
7.Guardian ExpressGuardian Press Nigeria LimitedAug. 15 1994 to dateAdmin. of  Gen. Sani Abacha
8.The ReporterNationHouse Press LimitedMarch 2, 1993 to Sept. 1, 1993 (Never re-opened)Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
9PunchPunch Nigeria LimitedJuly 22, 1993 to Nov. 19, 1993Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
10.PunchPunch Nigeria LimitedJune 11 1994 to dateAdmin. of  Gen. Sani Abacha
11.Daily SketchSketch Press LimitedJuly 22, 1993 to Nov. 18, 1993Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
12.The ObserverBendel Newspapers CorporationJuly 23, 1993 to Nov. 18, 1993Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
13.Business ConcordConcord Press Nigeria LimitedApril 9, 1992 to April 23, 1993Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
14.Business ConcordConcord Press Nigeria LimitedJuly 22, 1993 to Nov. 18, 1993Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
15.Business ConcordConcord Press Nigeria LimitedJune 11, 1994 to dateAdmin. of  Gen. Sani Abacha
16.Financial GuardianGuardian Newspapers LimitedAug. 15 1994 to dateAdmin. of  Gen. Sani Abacha
17.The Guardian on SundayGuardian Newspapers LimitedAug. 15 1994 to dateAdmin. of  Gen. Sani Abacha
18.Lagos LifeGuardian Newspapers LimitedAug. 15 1994 to dateAdmin. of  Gen. Sani Abacha
19.Sunday ObserverBendel Newspapers CorporationJuly 23, 1993 to Nov. 18, 1993Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
20.Weekend ConcordConcord Press Nigeria LimitedApril 9, 1992 to April 23, 1992Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
21.Weekend ConcordConcord Press Nigeria LimitedJuly 22, 1993 to Nov. 18, 1993Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
22.Weekend ConcordConcord Press Nigeria LimitedJune 11, 1994 to dateAdmin. of Gen. Sani Abacha
23.Sunday SketchSketch Press NigeriaJuly 22, 1993 to Nov. 18, 1993Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
24.IsokanConcord Press Nigeria LimitedApril 9, 1992 to April 23, 1992Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
25.IsokanConcord Press Nigeria LimitedJuly 22, 2993 to Nov. 18, 1993Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
26.IsokanConcord Press Nigeria LimitedJune 11, 1994 to dateAdmin. of Gen. Sani Abacha
27.Top LifePunch Nigeria LimitedJuly 22, 1993 to Nov. 18, 1993Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
28.Top LifePunch Nigeria LimitedJune 11, 1994 to dateAdmin. of Gen. Sani Abacha
29.AmanaConcord Press Nigeria LimitedApril 9, 1992 to April 23, 1992Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
30.AmanaConcord Press Nigeria LimitedJuly 22, 1993 to Nov. 18, 1993Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
31.AmanaConcord Press Nigeria LimitedJune 11, 1994 to dateAdmin. of Gen. Sani Abacha
32.Sunday PunchPunch Nigeria LimitedJuly 22, 1993 to Nov. 18, 1993Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
33.Sunday PunchPunch Nigeria LimitedJune 11, 1994 to dateAdmin. of Gen. Sani Abacha
34.Sunday ConcordConcord Press Nigeria LimitedApril 9, 1993 to April 23, 1992Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
35.Sunday ConcordConcord Press Nigeria LimitedJuly 22, 1993 to Nov. 18, 1993Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
36.Sunday ConcordConcord Press Nigeria LimitedJune 11, 1994 to dateAdmin. of Gen. Sani Abacha
37.Sunday ReporterNationhouse Press LimitedMarch 2, 1993 to Sept. 1, 1993 (Never re-opened)Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
38.GboungbounSketch Press LimitedJuly 22, 1993 to Nov. 18, 1993Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
39.UdokaConcord Press Nigeria LimitedApril 9, 1992 to April 23, 1992Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
40.UdokaConcord Press Nigeria LimitedJuly 22, 1993 to Nov. 18, 1993Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
41.UdokaConcord Press Nigeria LimitedJune 11, 1994 to dateAdmin. of Gen. Sani Abacha
42.Community ConcordConcord Press Nigeria LimitedApril 9, 1992 to April 23, 1992Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
43.Community ConcordConcord Press Nigeria LimitedJuly 22, 1993 to Nov. 18, 1993Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
44.Community ConcordConcord Press Nigeria LimitedJune 11, 1994 to dateAdmin. of Gen. Sani Abacha
45.Saturday PunchPunch Nigeria LimitedJuly 22, 1993 to Nov. 18, 1993Admin. of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
46.Saturday PunchPunch Nigeria LimitedJune 11, 1994 to dateAdmin. of Gen. Sani Abacha

 

Magazines Shut down by the Federal Military Government or the Military Government of a State
 

NoMagazine ShutPublishing CompanyPeriod of ClosureGovernment Responsible
1.NewbreedNewbreed Organisation LimitedJune 8, 1990 to August 13, 1990Admin. of Major Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
2African GuardianGuardian Magazines LimitedMay 29, 1991 to June 9, 1991Col. Raji Rasaki Military Gov. of Lagos State
3.The PresidentNewbreed Organisation LimitedJune 9, 1990 to August 13, 1990Admin. of Major Gen. Ibrahim Babangida

Newspapers shut down by the Federal Military Government or the Military Government of a State
 

NoNewspaper Shut DownPublishing CompanyPeriod of ClosureGovernment Responsible
1.Sunday RepublicRepublic Newspapers LimitedJune 16, 1989 to June 12, 1989Admin of Major Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
2.Sunday NewsJohn West Publications LimitedMay 1, 1990 to June 11, 1990Admin of Major Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
3.Lagos LifeGuardian Newspapers LimitedMay 29, 1990 to June 8, 1991Col. Raji Rasaki Military Gov. of Lagos State
4.Sunday ObserverBendel Newspapers CorporationOct. 14, 1988 to February 1989Col. Tunde Ogbeha, Miltary Gov. of Bendel State
5.Sunday PunchPunch Nigeria LimitedApril 29, 1990 to May 20, 1991Admin of Major Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
6.Abuja Newsday July 22, 1993 to July 27, 1993Admin of Major Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
7.Sunday ChampionChampion Newspapers LimitedJune 9, 1990 to June 13, 1990Col. Raji Rasaki Military Gov. of Lagos State
8.Guardian Financial WeeklyGuardian Newspaper LimitedMay 29, 1991 to June 8, 1991Col. Raji Rasaki Military Gov. of Lagos State
9.Sunday VanguardVanguard Media LimitedJune 9, 1990 to June 13, 1990Col. Raji Rasaki Military Gov. of Lagos State
10.The Guardian on SundayGuardian Newspapers LimitedMay 29, 1991 to June 8, 1991Col. Raji Rasaki Military Gov. of Lagos State
11.Lagos NewsJohn West Publications NigeriaMay 1, 1990 to June 11, 1990Admin of Major Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
12.PunchPunch Nigeria LimitedApril 29, 1990 to May 20, 1990Admin of Major Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
13.The Nigerian ObserverBendel Newspapers CorporationOct. 14, 1988 to February 1998Col. Tunde Ogbeha, Miltary Gov. of Bendel State
14.The RepublicRepublic Newspapers LimitedJune 16, 1989 to June 21, 1989Admin of Major Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
15.VanguardVanguard Media LimitedJune 9, 1990 to June 13, 1990Col. Raji Rasaki Military Gov. of Lagos State
16.The GuardianGuardian Newspapers LimitedMay 29, 1991 to June 8, 1991Col. Raji Rasaki Military Gov. of Lagos State
17.Daily ChampionChampion Newspapers LimitedJune 9, 1990 to June 13, 1990Col. Raji Rasaki Military Gov. of Lagos State
18.Guardian ExpressGuardian Newspapers LimitedMay 29, 1991 to June 8, 1991Col. Raji Rasaki Military Gov. of Lagos State
19.Saturday PunchPunch Nigeria LimitedApril 29, 1990 to May 20, 1990Admin of Major Gen. Ibrahim Babangida

Magazines Proscribed by the Federal Military Government
 

No.Magazine ProscribedPublishing CompanyPeriod of ProscriptionGovernment Responsible
1.Newbreed Newbreed Organisation LimitedJan. 1978 to March 1978Admin. of Lt. Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo
2.NewswatchNewswatch Communications Ltd.April 6, 1987 to Aug. 26, 1987Admin of Major Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
3.African ConcordAfrican Concord LimitedApril 9, 1992 to April 23, 1992Admin of Major Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
4.African ConcordAfrican Concord LimitedJuly 22, 1993 to Nov. 19, 1993Admin of Major Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
5.African ConcordAfrican Concord LimitedJune 11, 1994 to dateAdmin of Major Gen. Sani Abacha
6.African GuardianGuardian Newspapers LimitedAug. 15, 1994 to dateAdmin of Major Gen. Sani Abacha
7.African Science MonitorAfrican Concord LimitedApril 9, 1992 to April 23, 1992Admin of Major Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
8.African Science MonitorAfrican Concord LimitedJuly 22, 1993 to Nov. 18, 1993Admin of Major Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
9.African Science MonitorAfrican Concord LimitedJune 11, 1994 to dateAdmin of Major Gen. Sani Abacha
10.The NewsIndependent Communications Network LimitedMay 22, 1993 to Sept. 21, 1993Admin of Major Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
11.Africa Economic Digest African Concord LimitedApril 9, 1992 to April 23, 1992Admin of Major Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
12.Africa Economic Digest African Concord LimitedJuly 22, 1993 to Nov. 18, 1993Admin of Major Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
13.Africa Economic Digest African Concord LimitedJune 11, 1994 to dateAdmin of Major Gen. Sani Abacha
14.TELLTELL Communications LimitedMay 10, 1993 to May 17, 1993Admin of Major Gen. Ibrahim Babangida

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