Encomium
IT has been revealed that Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose spent over N30 million in the controversial anti- Buhari advert he sponsored on two national dailies, The Punch and Sun of Monday, January 19, 2015.
According to ENCOMIUM Weekly’s findings, the material fall into the political category and usually attracts higher rates than products.
A front page political advert in the Sun is N13, 125, 000 (Thirteen million one hundred and twenty five thousand naira) while The Punch’s rate for the same advertorial is N15, 867, 500 (Fifteen million eight hundred sixty thousand five hundred naira) VAT exclusive.
The controversial advert insinuating that the APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, 72 might die in office, like previous Nigerian leaders of North West origin namely, General Murtala Muhammed, General Sani Abacha and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was widely criticised by the public.
Even the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through Jonathan’s campaign organisation has dissociated itself from the ad Fayose placed in support of Jonathan’s re-election campaign.
The controversial Governor specifically asked Nigerians to choose life instead of death, while urging the nation to take a break from state burials.
The Governor who said he has no apologies over the advert would, however, replace it with another copy on Thursday, January 22.
In the latest one, Fayose observed that Buhari is a grandfather since former President Obasanjo was addressed as Baba in 1999 at 62.
The opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC) has since churned out series of retaliatory adverts, discrediting President Jonathan and the ruling PDP.
In one of the advertorials, the APC, while asking Nigerian to vote for change said Jonathan has no relationship with South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, Lee Kwam Yu of Malaysia and Barack Obama. He was instead identified with Mobutu Sese Seko and Blaise Compaore.
APC has again been rapped for the inappropriate campaign that contradicts what the President stands for. The campaigns of the PDP and APC have been blighted by propaganda, offensive materials and downright cheap blackmail.
This is against the backdrop of code of conduct agreement signed by presidential candidates of the political parties.
– UCHE OLEHI
