Tension between FG, press necessary for democracy — President Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the relationship between the federal government and the press as an institutionalized rivalry driven by mutual distrust, maintaining that such tension is healthy and vital for the survival of Nigeria’s democracy.
The President spoke on Thursday night at the State House, Abuja, during the maiden State House Media Corp Presidential Dinner.
Addressing media executives, editors, and correspondents, President Tinubu noted that while the executive arms of government and the press often operate on adversarial terms, both institutions remain indispensable partners in the task of nation-building.
“Tonight, we are gathered in one room pretending to be friends when, in truth, we are often adversaries,” the President said.
“We are adversaries only in the democratic sense, as the media constantly distrust those in power. In nation-building, we are partners. Government must act. The media must watch. Government must explain. The media must question. That arrangement guarantees a certain level of tension. It ensures that we are constantly at each other’s throats—not because we dislike one another, but because democracy demands it,” he stressed.
President Tinubu reassured the media industry of his administration’s unwavering commitment to protecting the constitutional provisions that guarantee a free press.
He specifically cited Sections 22 and 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which mandate the media to hold the government accountable and guarantee freedom of expression, alongside the sustained implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
Reflecting on his over three decades in public life, the President described himself as an “apostle of a free press” who has consistently defended the rights of journalists, promising that the state house would ensure practitioners continue to have the access, resources, and freedom needed to discharge their duties.
He, however, cautioned against the proliferation of digital falsehoods, noting that the rise of social media has introduced significant vulnerabilities into the public space.
“The recurring incidents of misinformation, disinformation, fake news, voice and facial cloning and deep fakes are concerning,” the President stated.
“Media practitioners should not be willing couriers of falsehood or unverified information injurious to national security and the nation,” he added.
Clarifying the deployment of regulatory frameworks, Tinubu maintained that laws such as the Cybercrimes Act were enacted to safeguard citizens from identity theft, cyberstalking, and malicious defamation, rather than to shrink the civic space or weaken press freedom.
The President also utilized the media interactive session to provide updates on the impact of his administration’s macroeconomic and security policies.
According to him, the domestic economy is showing strong signs of stabilization following the implementation of intense fiscal and tax reforms.
He highlighted improved foreign reserves, renewed investor confidence in the oil and gas sector, significant growth in the stock market, and increased statutory revenue allocations to state governments to drive grassroots development.
On internal security, President Tinubu reported that the military and intelligence agencies have transitioned from a reactive posture to systematically degrading criminal operations across the federation.
He stated that enhanced inter-agency collaboration and cross-border operations have led to the neutralization of thousands of terrorists, the rescue of numerous hostages, and the reclamation of vulnerable communities.
While acknowledging that challenges persist, the President urged the media to support national development by prioritizing factual accuracy over sensationalism and avoiding the trap of clickbait and viral outrage.