‘Check most headlines today’ — Keyamo fires at media, backs Obi over Benue blockade

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has accused sections of the Nigerian media of applying double standards in their coverage of political confrontations, citing the controversy surrounding Peter Obi’s blocked visit to Benue State as an example.

Keyamo said some media outlets often describe hostile crowds confronting All Progressives Congress, APC, politicians as signs of public rejection, while similar incidents involving opposition figures are reported as attacks by “sponsored thugs” or “hoodlums”.

“When it concerns the opposition, then it is ‘attack’ by ‘sponsored thugs’ or ‘hoodlums’. Just check most headlines today,” the minister said.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, however, condemned the obstruction of Obi’s convoy, describing the incident as unacceptable in a democratic society regardless of the political affiliation of those involved.

Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, was reportedly prevented from accessing Yelwata community in Benue State, where he intended to visit victims of recent killings and offer condolences.

The former Anambra State governor had alleged that youths sponsored by the state government blocked the road to stop him from proceeding.

“I am here in a place where people have been killed. I am here to commiserate with them, but now I have been told that youths sponsored by the governor have blocked the road and made sure I do not go in,” Obi had said.

Reacting to the development, Keyamo said the reason behind the protest was irrelevant, insisting that political disagreements should not prevent anyone from moving freely.

“Whether the protest was as a result of internal squabbles within the NDC, as posited by the Benue State Government, or sponsored by the APC, or any other rival party, this should not be part of our democracy,” he said.

The minister acknowledged arguments that Obi’s visit could have had political undertones, but said that such concerns could not justify restricting his movement.

“That is still not acceptable; everyone should be allowed to move about freely and play their politics without such crude interference,” Keyamo stated.

Keyamo also criticised what he described as selective outrage by some media organisations, arguing that political attacks should be judged by the same standard regardless of the party involved.

He said incidents involving APC figures were sometimes interpreted differently from those involving opposition politicians.

According to him, the media must avoid taking sides and ensure fairness in reporting political developments.

“What is good for the goose is also good for the gander. The Press must extricate itself from such partisanship and be fair to all,” Keyamo said.

The minister further alleged that some opposition politicians had previously made statements suggesting that APC candidates could face hostility in certain areas of the country.

He questioned why such comments, according to him, did not receive the same level of criticism.

Keyamo urged political supporters across party lines to reject violence and allow Nigerians to express their choices through elections.

“Whoever is angry at any candidate of any political party should display the anger with the ballot paper on voting day by a simple thumbprint, not by violent acts during campaigns,” he said.he said.

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