Stop the Lies, Defend Democracy – Tinubu Campaign Council Tasks Journalists Ahead of 2027

By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna 

 A chieftain of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Campaign Council, Mr, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has called on Nigerian journalists to serve as the “guardrails of democracy” and push back against misinformation, AI-driven manipulation, and divisive politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Kaduna, Showunmi said the stability of the country rests largely with the media, describing them as the “fourth realm of the estate” whose responsibility is to ensure reasonable and factual public communication.

“The pitch of politics has started,” he said. “I have come to beg you. Help us to insist that people stay on messaging, whether they are opposition or ruling party. Help us to stop them when they start to tell the lies that you know. If I’m telling a lie, stop me. If they are telling lies, stop them.”

He warned that the journalism profession was under threat from “charlatans who can just carry a phone and start writing rubbish,” adding that the rise of AI and social media was being used to instigate young people and provoke crises, particularly in sensitive states like Kaduna.

Showunmi commended Kaduna residents for the peaceful and massive turnout during President Tinubu’s visit, describing the state as “the Lagos of the North.” He said no other state could match the reception, and urged the press to help “take ownership” of the President and his campaign.

The campaign official invoked what he called the spirit of political loyalty and mentorship to explain President Tinubu’s leadership style. He cited the President’s support for late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Governor Uba Sani, former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and NSA Nuhu Ribadu when they were young politicians.

“Which other is more than that? Bola Tinubu is the Namu Namu of now,” Showunmi declared. “He gave people platform when they had challenges. That is what leadership means.”

On governance and power rotation, Showunmi argued that Nigeria must institutionalize a regional rotation of power to avoid perpetual crisis. “When it is the north’s turn, they will bring us plenty. When it is the south’s turn, we choose one. If we don’t balance it, we will be in crisis forever,” he said.

He also urged the media to shift focus to governance and development, pointing to road projects by the Minister of Works, the student loan scheme, and increased federal allocations to local governments and states. “Are we going to pretend we don’t know that governors and LGs are now getting more money? People are getting salaries as at when due,” he said.

Showunmi defended the administration’s record on security and welfare, noting that kidnapped victims are now released within days and that government hospitals have reduced the cost of services like dialysis and caesarean sections. “You cannot say it is nothing,” he told the journalists.

He stressed that development must be inclusive and must not alienate citizens, recalling Kaduna’s history of religious harmony. “Is this not the Kaduna where Muslims and Christians used to celebrate together? Why are they trying to turn our country into something else?”

The Tinubu ally charged journalists to reject divisive rhetoric and hold politicians accountable across party lines. “Nigeria is not that divided tribally. It is your duty to put politicians in their place and tell them we are not interested in hate speech,” he said.

Showunmi delivered greetings from President Tinubu, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Minister of Information Dele Alake, and presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga. He said the North must uphold _“Amana”_ — trust — and protect the democratic baton for future generations.

“Our pen will not go dry, our microphone will not go silent,” he concluded. “We are the greatest black nation in the world. Those who passed the baton to us must see that we will hold it well until we pass it to our younger ones. God bless Kaduna, God bless Nigeria.”