On January 19, Nigerians woke up to a shocking newspaper advert. Splashed across the front pages of two national dailies, The Sun and The Punch, were texts and images suggesting that Muhammadu Buhari, then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress will die in office if elected president.

Although Mr. Buhari, 72, went ahead to win the election, the advert, sponsored by Ayo Fayose, the controversial governor of Ekiti State, is widely regarded as one of the lowest moments in the run-up to the recently concluded general election.

Hate speeches and campaigns were a major feature of the 2015 election, but the morbid advert sparked outrage across Nigeria with many individuals and groups condemning the governor’s action.

Even the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Campaign Organisation distanced itself from the governor stating that the advert did not represent the campaign or Mr. Jonathan’s position.

On Thursday, Adamu Mu’azu, PDP’s National Chairman, attributed the party’s dismal performance at the polls partly to the hate campaigns by its members.

The newspapers which published the advert also came under intense criticism from Nigerians who questioned their judgment and professionalism.

But speaking during this year’s World Press Freedom Day in Lagos, Femi Adesina, The Sun’s Editor-in-Chief, attributed the publication of the morbid advert to the influence of media owners.

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