Title Free Press and Good Governance in Nigeria: A Review of Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration

Title Free Press and Good Governance in Nigeria: A Review of Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration

Authors: Olorunsuwa Elijah Ola, Bot Moses Danjuma, Bitrus David Itsegok

Abstract

Taking explicitly into cognizance 20 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria after the return of democracy in 1999, this paper seeks to explore, as well as analyze the continuous abuse and onslaught by the Nigerian government officials on media practices. This paper while relying on secondary data sources reveals that ever since the transition from the military regime to a democratic government, in spite of the expectation that the level of harassment and abuse on the media should have been a thing of the past; rather , the trend has continued unabated, especially under President Muhammadu Buhari led administration. Noting from the relationship that exists between a free media and good governance, assessing the administration of President Buhari with instances that are verifiable, and with the fact that good governance is a sine qua non for development and growth in fledgling democracy such as Nigeria’s, it is not yet time to celebrate for Nigerian press and Nigeria. This paper recommends that the Nigerian government should make laws that would protect as well as give leverage to the media to carry out its responsibility without fear of intimidation and harassment. The future of free media is highly dependent on good laws, as much as good governance depends on free and unbiased media.

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