The Jonathan-led Federal Government is plotting a media blackout of next month’s general election in which foreign journalists will be denied participation, the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO), has alerted.
The APCPCO in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday expressed concern about the frustrations foreign journalists wishing to cover the February 14 elections are facing in the efforts to secure a Nigerian visa.
The statement signed by the Director of Media and Publicity of the campaign, Mallam Garba Shehu, said the APC leadership has received reports that over 80 foreign journalists are facing frustrations at the ministry of Foreign Affairs in their efforts to secure Nigerian visa to cover the elections.
Shehu explained that international media coverage of the elections would contribute to transparency and the need to achieve free and fair elections.
He said frustrating visa applications for foreign journalists would send a wrong message to the international community, which might suspect sinister motives.
He stated further that media coverage is critical to achieving free and fair elections and that if the Nigerian government has nothing to hide, it would be keen to welcome foreign media coverage of the elections.