Press harassment: Lessons from Delta State for President Yaradua.

By Ilobi Austin

Governor Uduaghan of Delta State has not been particularly impressive-at least to the majority of eligible voters living in Effurun-Warri and its environs, in the areas of physical development of the state. On a cost-benefit scale, some of his anti-poverty programs tilt more on the former than the latter. Example is his Delta city transport scheme.

But one very important area on which he has done extremely well, even though this has been the norm since the creation of the state, is in the area of freedom of speech, both in private and public meets. He could have decided otherwise.

I submit that, there is no other state in Nigeria, including Lagos with a human right defender like Fashola, where freedom of the press is guaranteed as it is obtained in Delta.
Believe it or not, the biggest critics of the government are those on it payroll.

To verify the truth of this assertion, listen to the very popular programs, “make country for better” on the state owned radio station on Saturdays and it Queen’s English version on Wednesdays, both in the morning. In both, the actions and inactions of the government are so heavily appraised that a first time listener might conclude erroneously that the “opposition” is in charge of public institutions in the state.

From the two already mentioned programs to roads and other developmental programs, the government receives a knock that can only come from the opposition; from it own employees without any form of reprimand. I am confident that if given the option of choosing between criticism of his government and his health, the governor would happily settle for his health. After all, no amount of writings on his health conditions would make him fall sick, if his body mechanism proves otherwise.

In the light of Yaradua’s recent unpleasant encounter with the press, it would be good if he adopts the Delta style in his future dealings with the press-ignore them. They can bark but definitely, can’t bite. Unless the security operatives omnibus contains reports that is not available to the rest of us.

ilobi austin writes from warri. his articles can be downloaded free @ http://www.vibratingaustin.blogspot.com