SANs disagree on Buhari’s AIT ban

Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria have disagreed with President-elect Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to ban the Africa Independent Television (AIT) network from covering his activities until they sort out “issues of standard and ethics”.The decision to ban the private TV station generated mixed reactions among Nigerians with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing the move as dangerous for Democracy while Buhari’s party, All Progressives Congress, APC, has reversed the decision, saying all accredited media organizations, including AIT, are free to cover the president-elect’s activities.

Lending their voice to the debate in separate interviews, Constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay (SAN) and Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), differed on the ban.

Prof. Sagay in his reaction said: “I agree absolutely with Buhari on the issue. AIT is not fit to be a practical organization in Nigeria.

“An organization, which worships money and would sell its soul to the devil for money, and would abandon every ethics of its profession should not exist. If I were in Buhari’s position, I would be harsher”.

While Mr. Oeytibo urged Buhari to “tread softly and be tolerant of criticisms because PDP is presently going through a process of political annihilation, by reason of which it might not be able to provide effective opposition.

“Buhari should expect very stiff, scorching and scathing criticisms from civil society groups and activists”, he added.