Keyamo Blasts Media On Obi Benue Attack: “When APC Candidate Is Molested It’s Called ‘Rejection By Nigerians’, When Opposition Is Attacked It’s ‘Sponsored Thugs'”

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has accused a section of the Nigerian media of partisanship in reporting the attack on the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr. Peter Obi, in Benue State, demanding consistency and fairness to all political parties.

Keyamo, in a statement on Tuesday titled “PETER OBI AND THE BENUE INCIDENT: WHAT WE DEMAND IS CONSISTENCY FROM THE PARTISAN MEDIA”, said the partisan press spins incidents to suit the opposition while demonizing the ruling party.

“Many a time when an angry crowd confronts or molests an APC candidate at any level, the partisan Press shamelessly dubs or spins it as ‘rejection’ by ‘Nigerians’. When it concerns the opposition, then it is ‘attack’ by ‘sponsored thugs’ or ‘hoodlums’. Just check most headlines today,” Keyamo said.

He described the trend as unacceptable, noting that many opposition leaders openly boast that APC candidates cannot go to some parts of the country and shout ‘APC’ without being stoned or molested, yet the partisan press does not call out such leaders.

“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,” he stated.

Reacting to the Benue incident itself, Keyamo condemned the prevention of Obi by angry protesters from proceeding to the venue of his visit in the state.

He said 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, it should not be part of Nigeria’s democracy.

“Yesterday’s report of the prevention of the Presidential candidate of the NDC, Mr. Peter Obi, by some angry protesters from proceeding to the venue of his visit in Benue State must be condemned by all men of goodwill,” he said.

The Minister noted that some have accused Obi of attempting to whip up fresh emotions by visiting Yelwata where the unfortunate killings happened more than a year ago for political reasons, hence the blockade, but maintained that it remains unacceptable.

“Everyone should be allowed to move about freely and play their politics without such crude interference,” Keyamo added.

He urged Nigerians to express their anger through the ballot on election day and not through violence.

“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,” the statement concluded.