Nduka Obaigbena, owner of THISDAY and Arise News Television, has denied allegations of bias and unprofessional conducts against journalists working with his media outfits.
In a statement titled “Lies Have Short Legs, They Do Not Run Far. The Fake News From Bayo Onanuga and Dele Alake” and published on Wednesday, Obaigbena reacted to allegations made by Bayo Onanuga and Dele Alake, members of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC PCC).
He said journalists who work for his platforms were only “raising pertinent questions” which the APC PCC was countering with “wild and misleading allegations and fake news”.
He then challenged the APC to “present your Presidential candidate
for town hall meetings, debates and interviews by the independent media that last for more than 8 minutes”.
Bola Tinubu, the APC presidential candidate was interviewed by Peter Okwoche of the BBC weeks after his party said he would not be attending any debates as he did not want to appear on some channels and ignore others. His interview with the BBC lasted eight minutes and three seconds.
Tinubu also failed to appear at a town hall meeting organised by Arise News Television on November 6.
Obaigbena also said, “The resort to media bullying tactics, blackmail
and fake news will not work. Journalists are not your opponents in the 2023 elections. When they go low, we go high.”
Via the statement signed by Fauziya Mohammed, his chief of staff, Obaigbena addressed allegations of owed taxes, salaries and links to misappropriated funds.
Subscribe
Be the first to receive special investigative reports and features in your inbox.