Chief Raymond Dokpesi: Buhari Lacks The Powers to Hinder AIT From Covering Presidential Activities

The Chairman of Daar Communications, owners of AIT, Chief Raymond Dokpesi says that the president-elect, Gen Buhari lacked the constitutional powers to stop his TV station from covering his activities.

According to him, the decision to bar the station on Monday April 27th was a reminder of the Decree 4 era which he, Buhari, enacted against freedom of the press when he was in power

"I am sure that the President-elect needs to be reminded of Decree 4, and he should be clearly reminded that section 32 of the constitution makes it mandatory for the media to hold public officials accountable to the people. The president-elect said that he does not want to be covered by AIT, but AIT has a responsibility to the Nigerian public to report the things that are happening.  

"There are three national networks available for national coverage in Nigeria, the NTA, AIT and Silverbirds. You cannot stop a foremost private station from reporting in Nigeria, it brings us back to Decree 4 era.” he said

On the controversial documentary about General Buhari and his family which was run by the TV station during the election, Mr Dokpesi said the station was a private entity that could run anything that it feels is fact and accurate.

"If they had produced their own documentary to say this is what we want and AIT did not publish it, then that is another matter. What is obviously very clear is the fact that AIT believes that the historical information about the President elect that were ran, were factually correct. Nothing was done to defame him or impinge on his character or integrity.” he told Premium Times