The media team of Olorogun John Nani has strongly criticised Comrade Akpovoke Otiti, a practising journalist with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ughelli Correspondents Chapel, over what it described as a “reckless, unethical and politically coloured” statement calling for Nani’s resignation as Chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the team said Otiti’s outburst not only lacked factual foundation but also betrayed the core principles of journalism, particularly fairness, objectivity and balance.
The media team noted that Olorogun John Nani has not formally declared any intention to contest the Delta Central Senatorial seat in 2027, making Otiti’s demand for resignation both speculative and misleading.
“It is curious that a journalist who should be guided by verifiable facts would base a public call on mere rumours and political conjecture,” the statement read.
According to the team, Otiti’s position reveals a troubling departure from the professional ethics expected of members of the NUJ, especially in a politically sensitive environment where public commentary can unfairly shape perceptions.
The statement went further to accuse Otiti of abandoning neutrality and instead engaging in subtle political advocacy.
It alleged that while attempting to discredit Olorogun John Nani, Otiti’s write-up appeared to promote another unnamed Urhobo aspirant for the same senatorial position—raising questions about hidden interests and credibility.
“A journalist cannot, on one hand, pretend to demand accountability, and on the other hand, subtly campaign for a preferred candidate. That is not journalism; it is partisan messaging dressed in media clothing,” the team stated.
The media team described Otiti’s intervention as “a classic case of agenda-driven commentary,” warning that such conduct erodes public trust in the media profession.
The statement also challenged Otiti’s moral standing to demand accountability from public officials, arguing that credibility in public discourse must be earned through adherence to professional standards.
It stressed that journalism demands restraint, verification and fairness—values the team said were clearly absent in Otiti’s publication.
“Moral authority in public commentary is not self-assumed. It is built on consistency, integrity and respect for truth. Unfortunately, Comrade Otiti’s statement falls far short of these expectations.”
The media team insisted that there is no legal or ethical breach in Olorogun John Nani continuing to serve as DESOPADEC Chairman, especially in the absence of any formal declaration of political ambition.
It described Otiti’s call for resignation as an attempt to manufacture controversy where none exists.
“Public office holders cannot be compelled to resign based on rumours or the imagination of politically exposed commentators,” the statement added.
The team urged media practitioners, particularly those affiliated with professional bodies like the NUJ, to uphold the ethics of the profession and avoid being used as tools for political manipulation.
It warned that sustained deviation from ethical standards could diminish the credibility of journalism in Delta State and beyond.
“The media must remain a platform for truth, not a weapon for personal or political vendettas.”
The statement reaffirmed Olorogun John Nani’s commitment to his current responsibilities at DESOPADEC, noting that he remains focused on delivering development to oil-producing communities across Delta State.
