Presidency Slam British Journalist Over Editorial On PMB

Con Coughlin, the author of The Daily Telegraph editorial that accused President Buhari of intimidating his political enemies, has come under fire from the Presidency over what it called ‘factual inaccuracies.’

Coughlin alleged in the editorial that Buhari’s government was using aid from the United Kingdom meant for the fight against insurgency to fight his perceived enemies.

In his reply, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said the editorial showed the author’s ignorance of the ongoing war against terrorism.

Shehu also described as shocking, the allegation that the Buhari led administration tried to cover up the abduction of over 400 women and children.

He denied the allegation, saying the abduction happened in 2014, during Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

Shehu also frowned at the fact that Coughlin did not bother to get the Nigerian government’s side of the story before publishing his editorial.

The presidential media aide also added that the arms deal probe was aimed at exposing how funds meant for the war against Boko Haram was diverted by corrupt government officials.

Shehu also took a swipe at the author’s piece, describing it as a disgraceful headline.

On January 30, 2016, an international publication, The Economist, in an article titled: ‘Nigeria’s economy: Hope the naira falls,’ accused President Muhammadu Buhari of repeating an economic error he made as dictator 30 years ago.

Con Coughlin is a British journalist and author. He is currently a Defence Editor with The Daily Telegraph.