I would not know why people do not learn from
history. Only few months ago, a colleague of
Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State (Gov Akpabio
of Akwa Ibom State) had a shameful brush with the
Fresh Facts newspapers. The governor was at the
end left bruised. Now, Governor Sylva has done the
same; making a serious u-turn on something he would
have avoided in the first place.
For mere reason that a reporter with National
Life (Mr. Akin Orimolade) had reported that
Governor Sylva had a scuffle with the Bayelsa PDP
Chairman was enough for the governor to bring his
government machinery to bear on the poor reporter.
The deceitful way with which the reporter was
cornered with a cooked-up court order and whisked
away to Bayelsa from Abuja was crude, to say the
least.
Silverbird Group must clear itself from the
episode because they were roundly mentioned and
probably used. The reporter was lured to come for an
advertisement booking of Silverbird for the
National Life newspaper only to be abducted.
Ben Bruce, the owner of Silverbird is from
Bayelsa State and this is the more reason he
must make some pronouncements to remove himself from
this absurdity. After all, he runs media
organizations where journalists form the key
workers.
Governor Akpabio’s brush with Fresh Facts
Newspapers and its Uyo distributor would remain
indelible in the minds of Nigeria media. Governor
Sylva has only come out to re-enact the ugly
situation and one does not pity him.
Anti-press governors are unfolding; and this is not
a military regime. Just like Akpabio, Sylva would be
roundly disgraced in this matter and he definitely
would live to regret the action. He has started by
withdrawing the ‘court case’ against the National
Life reporter.....
Emmanuel James, sent this piece from 159 Woji Road, Port Harcourt.It
was originally titled:Gov.Sylva in Avoidable Attempt
on the Media.
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