A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ibrahim Wala, has called on Nigerian journalists to rise above political and commercial pressures by recommitting to investigative journalism and unbiased reporting as tools to combat bad governance.
Wala, who recently joined the ADC, made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday. He stressed that the media’s strength lies in its ability to inform the public, challenge authority, and inspire social change.
“It behoves journalists to reclaim their independence and return to the core duties of investigative journalism and unbiased reporting,” he said. “The common people are counting on you. Do not let us down.”
He accused politicians and religious leaders of forming what he described as a “two-headed monster,” warning that their collaboration was eroding Nigeria’s social fabric. According to him, the media has a duty to expose what he termed a “troubling romance” between political elites and the clergy.
“It’s clear that the media’s sacred duty is under threat. We are witnessing a troubling romance between politicians and the clergy, a public display of collaboration that goes largely unchallenged,” he said. “When the media, the supposed watchdog, is either a silent bystander or, worse, an accomplice, the foundation of our democracy begins to crumble.”
Wala linked the neglect of watchdog journalism to rising insecurity in the country, saying the lack of strong media pressure has allowed the crisis to persist.
“The consequences of this betrayal are devastatingly real. Insecurity has become a daily reality, ravaging communities and leaving ordinary Nigerians in a state of constant fear,” he lamented.
He further criticised some media houses for turning into platforms for propaganda instead of holding leaders accountable.
“Journalism is a public service, not a mere profit-making venture. When media outlets are owned and controlled by the very people they are meant to scrutinise, the watchdog becomes a pet, loyal only to its master. This is a betrayal of the trust the public places in you,” Wala said.
His remarks echo long-standing concerns by civil society groups about political influence, ownership structures, and weakening press independence in Nigeria.
