Presidency Fires Back At Arise TV, Makes Fresh Accusations

The Presidency has accused Arise Television of showing preferential treatment towards Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, made the allegation in a post shared on his X account on Monday.

Bwala claimed that presenters on the television station frequently express strong opinions when discussing other political candidates but take a noticeably different approach when Peter Obi is the subject of discussion.

According to the presidential aide, conversations about the former Anambra State governor often appear more like advice from political supporters or surrogates than critical analysis from media presenters.

He further alleged that Arise Television had not broadcast any major trending reports that could be considered unfavourable to Obi since the politician became a presidential candidate.

Bwala questioned what he described as the difference in tone and treatment given to Obi compared with other contenders, suggesting that the station’s coverage of the opposition politician appeared more sympathetic.

His comments have added another layer to the ongoing political and media debate surrounding the 2027 presidential race, with different political actors increasingly scrutinising the manner in which candidates are portrayed by media organisations.

Meanwhile, African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has also launched a fresh criticism of Peter Obi and his former running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed.

Sowore alleged that Baba-Ahmed was aware of what he described as shortcomings involving Obi before accepting to contest alongside him on the Labour Party ticket during the 2023 presidential election.

The AAC candidate made the claim in a post on his X account while reacting to comments attributed to Baba-Ahmed concerning Obi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other prominent Nigerian politicians.

Baba-Ahmed, who was Obi’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election, had reportedly expressed doubts about whether the politicians could deliver the level of transformation Nigeria needs.

Responding to the remarks, Sowore claimed that Baba-Ahmed’s comments were influenced by information he obtained while working closely with Obi during their 2023 campaign.

The allegations by both Bwala and Sowore come amid increasing political exchanges ahead of the 2027 election, with politicians and their supporters intensifying their scrutiny of rival candidates and media coverage.