By Sadiq Umar
President-elect Muhammadu Buhari has barred the African Independent Television (AIT) from covering his activities, saying the decision is based on security and family concerns.
Buhari, who now operates from the Defence House, otherwise known as ‘Flag House’, Asokoro district, Abuja said there are “ethics and standard” that need to be resolved with AIT.
The All Progressive Congress (APC) had accused some media houses, including AIT of propagating hate speeches against some of its members during the last electioneering campaign.
Attempts to stop anti-APC documentary aired on AIT failed when the court upheld the broadcast medium’s right to air the said paid for adverts.
But, Buhari on Monday asked security operatives at the Defence House, to prevent the AIT crew into the building.
Spokesman of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, Mr. Garba Shehu confirmed the incident saying: “AIT has been asked to step aside based on security and family concerns.
“In addition, Buhari has decided that they will have to resolve some issues relating to issues of standard and ethics.
“We will be talking with them to try and resolve the matter, but for now the station has been asked to stay aside because, like I said, there are some family and security concerns.
“They have been asked to step down their coverage until we resolve the matter with them on ethics and standards.
“You can quote me that I said that we have asked them to step aside and that we are resolving the the issues of ethics and standards with them.”
