The Presidency has accused Arise Television of giving preferential treatment to Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), ahead of the 2027 general election.
Daniel Bwala, a spokesperson to President Bola Tinubu, made the allegation in a post on his X handle, claiming that presenters on the television station frequently criticise other political figures while adopting a more favourable approach toward Obi.
According to Bwala, the difference in how political candidates are discussed on the platform suggests that some individuals may be receiving more sympathetic coverage than others.
“They never trended negative stories about Peter Obi,” Bwala reportedly said while questioning the station’s approach to political coverage.
The presidential aide’s comments come amid growing political exchanges between the Tinubu administration and opposition figures as preparations for the 2027 presidential election intensify.
Bwala has been a vocal defender of the administration and has frequently responded to criticisms directed at President Tinubu. His latest remarks place media coverage at the centre of the wider political debate over fairness, accountability and the role of journalists in an election period.
The allegation is significant because television and other news platforms play an important role in shaping public discourse, particularly as political parties and candidates increase their engagement with voters. Perceptions of bias in media coverage can also influence public confidence in the electoral information reaching citizens.
However, Bwala’s accusation represents his assessment of Arise TV’s coverage and does not, by itself, establish that the station deliberately favours Obi. There was no response from Arise TV cited in the report at the time of publication.
Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, emerged as a major opposition figure after finishing third in the 2023 presidential election. He is now seeking the presidency under the NDC, while Tinubu is expected to defend his mandate in 2027.
The latest dispute underscores the increasingly heated political environment ahead of the next presidential election.
