Nigerian Activist Condemns President Donald Trump’s Closure of VOA,Other Media Outlets as Undemocratic.
By Our Correspondent.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullahi Jabi, the chairman of the Campaign for Democracy and Human Rights Advocacy Civil Society of Nigeria, has condemned President Donald Trump’s shutdown of the Voice of America and other media organizations.
In an interview with journalists in Minna, the capital of Niger State, Nigeria, Dr. Jabi stated that Trump is abusing his constitutional powers, emphasizing that access to information is an essential aspect of human existence. He described the actions as sentimental and undemocratic, which are not acceptable on a global scale.
The activist asserted that governance should prioritize press freedom and urged President Trump to exercise restraint. He warned that if Trump does not change course, he might face impeachment by U.N. lawmakers, which could potentially harm America’s reputation.
Dr. Jabi expressed concern that the closure of media outlets would lead to increased unemployment among media professionals, particularly those in Africa. He advised Trump to reconsider his decision in light of the negative consequences of such an unpopular policy.
He called for a collective response against Trump’s actions from other media organizations, emphasizing the need to defend the constitutional rights of the press. He labeled the closure as a crime against humanity, as it undermines the media’s role in holding leaders accountable and ensuring transparency in governance within a democratic framework.
Dr. Jabi stressed that if the situation becomes too severe, legal action should be taken against President Trump to seek justice. He pointed out that just because the media did not support Trump during his campaign does not justify his attempt to undermine their existence, which could lead to increased social problems, crimes, and criminal behavior in the U.S.
He urged Trump to stop personalizing issues and misusing his official position to threaten the survival of the media and its professionals. He added that winning a second term in office does not guarantee universal support and advised the president to reconsider his stance, allowing the media to return to the air for the benefit of humanity.
