Adventures in Gotcha Journalism... Eye catching. but unnecessary.

I know crazy and half baked journalism has always been a part of the Nigerian press, and I know Sahara Reporters has always claimed to be the people's voice, but continues to thrive on gotcha news articles. Recently they seem to be becoming the "Faux News" of Nigeria. For the record, I am NOT in favor of GEJ seeking re-election considering he has been unable to put and end to the BH insurgency.

But I am at a loss how SR manages to skew reports just for sensational headlines and gain. Consider the following report:

Headline:

"Police To Shut Down Abuja For Jonathan's Declaration Tomorrow"

Really??? Okay immediate sub headline reads:

The Nigeria police plans to shut down most parts of Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, on Tuesday for President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration of his intention to seek reelection.

Remember the headline tells us that Abuja will be SHUT DOWN. Well next we read:

The Nigeria police plans to shut down most parts of Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, on Tuesday for President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration of his intention to seek reelection.
Emmanuel Ojukwu, the public relations officer of the Nigerian police, revealed the plan in a statement released in Abuja today.

Ouch OMG!!! Abuja coming to a standstill? But apparently the reports later on says or rather the statement from the police says:

Mr. Ojukwu disclosed that all roads around Eagle Square, the venue of the president’s declaration, would be closed down from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow. 

The police statement was titled “Diversion of vehicular traffic within and around Central Business District Abuja.” The notice read, “This is to alert the public of a major event taking place at Eagle Square Abuja tomorrow Tuesday, 11th November, 2014. 

“Members of the public are advised to use alternative routes, as vehicular traffic will be diverted from most of the roads leading in and out of Eagle Square Central Business District, Abuja between 0500 a.m. and 0800 p.m. of Tuesday, 11th November, 2014. 

“The Nigeria Police Force regrets any inconvenience the diversion of vehicular movements within the area may cause members of the public, as this is one of the proactive security measures put in place to avoid break down of law and order in the area and Abuja at large.

Does anyone recall when "roads around Eagle Square" encompassed the totality of Abuja? And keep in mind the country is indeed in a heightened state of alert with the BH insurgency going on AND past Abuja violence, hence it is actually in the public safety interest that an advance notice has been given for the road closures which will allow Nigerians to avoid the area and in case the worst happens there will be minimal casualties.


Again, I do not think GEJ should be seeking re-election, however it is indeed his constitutional right. But I do not see how such sensational headlines help at all. What the other parties need to do is come up with viable good candidates (not Buhari) to provide an alternative for Nigerians to vote for, not gotcha journalism.