THISDAY

Buhari Bans AIT from Covering His Activities...

Spokesman: We are resolving ethical issues with them

- In Abuja

Onyebuchi Ezigbo The media team of the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari has stopped the African Independen­t Television ( AIT) from covering his engagement­s until issues of ethics and standards are sorted out.

THISDAY gathered that the AIT crew was asked to leave the Defence House during the visit of the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria to the president-elect.

Although the station’s was informed politely by one of the officials, the crew refused to leave the venue.

Reacting to the incident, Buhari’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, told THISDAY that what gave rise to the measure was concerns over security and ethical standards which members of the family of the president-elect raised.

“AIT has been asked to stay aside based on security and family concerns. In addition, the Buharis have decided that they would 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, “he explained.

However, Shehu said it is not true that the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) has been bared along with the AIT, Shehu said the NTA crew are free to attend the events of the president-elect and to cover it accordingl­y.

When asked whether he should be quoted, Shehu said: “Yes you can quote me that I said we have asked them to step aside and that we are resolving the issues of ethics and standards with them.”

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