The People’s Gazette, a Nigerian newspaper, has refused to reveal its source for the leaked audio conversation between Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, and Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide.
NaijNaira reports that the conversation, published by The Gazette on April 1, 2023, featured Obi describing the February 25 presidential election as a “religious war,” sparking nationwide criticism.
Obi, who had remained silent since the audio’s publication, denied its authenticity on April 5, 2023, describing it as a fake and the handiwork of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He also revealed that there had been pressure on him to leave Nigeria after the elections.
However, The Gazette’s Deputy Managing Editor, Boladale Adekoya, said the newspaper stands by its publication and will not reveal its source.
Adekoya stated that Obi wants to force them into revealing the source of the leaked audio at trial, but they will protect the source at any length.
He also noted that the leaked audio clip was sourced and properly authenticated in advance of running it.
“The audio and the context surrounding it were properly sourced and authenticated in line with journalism best practices,” he said.
Adekoya stressed that The Gazette was prepared to go to any length to protect the source of the clip and would uphold the principle of source protection to any length.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
