Reverend John Joseph Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has strongly condemned the spread of false and misleading reports targeting Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement he personally signed on Tuesday, Hayab expressed concern over what he described as a disturbing trend of media blackmail, particularly aimed at individuals because of their associations or family background.
“Just because Seyi is Tinubu’s son, he should not become a subject or object of media blackmail and propaganda to destroy him,” Hayab said. “There will be life after his father’s administration is over.”
He cautioned against using journalism as a weapon for personal or political attacks, stating that such practices are not only unethical but also contradict cultural and religious values. “Spreading lies against anyone should not be encouraged because it is not acceptable in our culture and religion,” he added.
Hayab also noted that the increasing normalization of character assassination is deeply troubling. “This ungodly attitude must stop. The malicious attacks on one another are becoming a norm, and no nation can grow by people destroying one another,” he warned.
The Christian leader urged journalists and media outlets to uphold professionalism and integrity by verifying stories before publishing. “No media should write any story about anyone based on hearsay without investigation. When you celebrate the destruction of another person today, you may be the next,” he said. Hayab called on Nigerians to reject narratives rooted in falsehood and character damage, warning that tolerating such behavior could mislead future generations into believing it is an acceptable norm.
