Rose Peters Graham, a former Nigerian based Journalist who
now resides in London and interviewed some Nigerians who carried placards in
London on the 26th of February, during Gen. Buhari’s visit to
Chatham House has come for her critics. A lot of people have criticized her
saying she was paid by APC for carrying out the interview, some called her a failed sacked NTA staff and some even went as far
as saying she was bent on tarnishing the image of PDP that she went as far as risking the life of her baby by bringing a 2-month old baby to such an event.
now resides in London and interviewed some Nigerians who carried placards in
London on the 26th of February, during Gen. Buhari’s visit to
Chatham House has come for her critics. A lot of people have criticized her
saying she was paid by APC for carrying out the interview, some called her a failed sacked NTA staff and some even went as far
as saying she was bent on tarnishing the image of PDP that she went as far as risking the life of her baby by bringing a 2-month old baby to such an event.
Well Rose isn’t cool with all those
allegations and has decided to reply her critics. She gave a well detailed
explanation. Below is the response she exclusively sent to me.
Here is my response to the Negative stories created after
my postings of Activities outside
Chatham House.
my postings of Activities outside
Chatham House.
For the Record
On Thursday 26th
February 2015 I produced a series of video clips which covered the
demonstrations by some Nigerians in the United Kingdom outside Chatham House
where the leading Nigerian opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) leader
Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (GMB)) was giving a speech.
February 2015 I produced a series of video clips which covered the
demonstrations by some Nigerians in the United Kingdom outside Chatham House
where the leading Nigerian opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) leader
Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (GMB)) was giving a speech.
As I mentioned in one of the video clips, I was there in my
attempt to secure an interview with the General. My previous attempts to secure
such an interview with General Buhari for a TV programme I co present on BEN-TV
‘PolitrickswithKO’ had failed and I was hoping to be able to catch up with
General Buhari after his Chatham House presentation.
attempt to secure an interview with the General. My previous attempts to secure
such an interview with General Buhari for a TV programme I co present on BEN-TV
‘PolitrickswithKO’ had failed and I was hoping to be able to catch up with
General Buhari after his Chatham House presentation.
Whilst waiting for my cameraman to arrive, I noticed the
demonstration unfolding and with a moment of spontaneity I started interviewing
some of the demonstrators. Some of the responses to my interview questions were
quite alarming and this prompted my recording of this unexpected encounter
using the video camera on my phone.
demonstration unfolding and with a moment of spontaneity I started interviewing
some of the demonstrators. Some of the responses to my interview questions were
quite alarming and this prompted my recording of this unexpected encounter
using the video camera on my phone.
As is evident from the video clips, the recordings were
totally unscripted and uploaded online onto my personal Facebook page unedited
momentarily, I had no opportunity to review or edit the video.
totally unscripted and uploaded online onto my personal Facebook page unedited
momentarily, I had no opportunity to review or edit the video.
Some of the comments I made unwittingly in one of the video
clips relating to the personal appearances, hygiene and status of some of the
demonstrators were most certainly unbecoming of a professional journalist of my
calibre. I totally accept that at the very least such personal comments should
not have been made and at the very most should have been edited off before
uploading those video clips.
clips relating to the personal appearances, hygiene and status of some of the
demonstrators were most certainly unbecoming of a professional journalist of my
calibre. I totally accept that at the very least such personal comments should
not have been made and at the very most should have been edited off before
uploading those video clips.
For those comments I made, I would like to take this
opportunity to publicly offer my sincere apologies.
opportunity to publicly offer my sincere apologies.
Opponents of the truths captured in the video clips have
ferociously used these comments to not only cover up and distract attention to
the seriousness of the deceptive acts that were made bare in the coverage but
also to threaten my safety, attack my credence and vilify my personality on
social and mass media.
ferociously used these comments to not only cover up and distract attention to
the seriousness of the deceptive acts that were made bare in the coverage but
also to threaten my safety, attack my credence and vilify my personality on
social and mass media.
Whilst I have restrained to respond individually to the
tactics used by these opponents, I find it necessary to use this opportunity to
also address some of the baseless and outrageous comments which have been
propagating on various online platforms and networks as follows:
tactics used by these opponents, I find it necessary to use this opportunity to
also address some of the baseless and outrageous comments which have been
propagating on various online platforms and networks as follows:
– Re. “exposing her 2 month old baby”; “
To whoever made this assertion, if you are going to use the
age of my baby to attack the quality of my motherhood, the least you could do
is get my baby’s age right!!!
age of my baby to attack the quality of my motherhood, the least you could do
is get my baby’s age right!!!
Figuring out the age of my baby is quite a simple thing to
research from the online announcements of my baby’s birth.
research from the online announcements of my baby’s birth.
If you can’t get this simple thing correct to begin with I
wonder what else you could so possibly get wrong, on the other hand if you
could have gotten this right but deliberately seek to restate my baby’s age
then I questions your motive for such a fundamental distortion of facts.
wonder what else you could so possibly get wrong, on the other hand if you
could have gotten this right but deliberately seek to restate my baby’s age
then I questions your motive for such a fundamental distortion of facts.
– Re. “baby wept throughout the whole event”
Either the person making such a statement was not at the
event, did not watch the video clips or is hell bent on defamation of my
character as a mother.
event, did not watch the video clips or is hell bent on defamation of my
character as a mother.
– Re. “We are still investigating how much APC paid their
camera lady… She can’t just be too poor to afford £50 per day for child minder”
camera lady… She can’t just be too poor to afford £50 per day for child minder”
How much of a contradiction there is between the parts of
this statement!!!
this statement!!!
I’ll address the first part of that statement later, but for
now family matters first.
now family matters first.
To the person making this statement, I ask do you have
experience with third party childcare provisions in the UK?
experience with third party childcare provisions in the UK?
If so, have you thought of the fact that I could have called
around seeking availability for a day placement with a registered child minder
before making the decision to take my baby along with me?
around seeking availability for a day placement with a registered child minder
before making the decision to take my baby along with me?
FYI, I’m a full time mother by choice and when the rear and
impromptu opportunity for a chance to interview the General came to my
attention I did call around seeking a registered child-minder for the day but
there were no space available for that day with a child-minder licenced to look
after under 2 years old. Due to my husband’s work commitment on that day he
could not take the day off work as he would normally have done with advance
notice.
impromptu opportunity for a chance to interview the General came to my
attention I did call around seeking a registered child-minder for the day but
there were no space available for that day with a child-minder licenced to look
after under 2 years old. Due to my husband’s work commitment on that day he
could not take the day off work as he would normally have done with advance
notice.
The decision that I take our baby along to the event was
made by me and my husband after weighing the circumstances and the facts about
the event available to us. So if you don’t know, please ask.
made by me and my husband after weighing the circumstances and the facts about
the event available to us. So if you don’t know, please ask.
If the person making such a statement does not have
experience with third party childcare provisions in the UK, then FYI one does
not just call up on anybody to be a child-minder just because you have “£50” to
pay for their service.
experience with third party childcare provisions in the UK, then FYI one does
not just call up on anybody to be a child-minder just because you have “£50” to
pay for their service.
– Re. “She even refused to use Umbrella”
Again I say, either the person making such a statement was
not at the event, did not watch the video clips or is hot bent on defamation of
character by way of false statement.
not at the event, did not watch the video clips or is hot bent on defamation of
character by way of false statement.
– Re. “a sacked ex staff of NTA”
To the person who made such total and outright ignorant
claim, do you know that even after I resigned from NTA to pursue a career move
working for another company I was still presenting the Sugar n Spice TV on NTA2
show on my own time up to the point of my leaving Nigeria to join my husband in
the United Kingdom?
claim, do you know that even after I resigned from NTA to pursue a career move
working for another company I was still presenting the Sugar n Spice TV on NTA2
show on my own time up to the point of my leaving Nigeria to join my husband in
the United Kingdom?
Do you know that even after relocating to the UK
arrangements were made such that I was in consultation as a producer of the
Sugar n Spice on NTA2 show up to the point I could not continue doing so
because of my pregnancy?
arrangements were made such that I was in consultation as a producer of the
Sugar n Spice on NTA2 show up to the point I could not continue doing so
because of my pregnancy?
How could you reconcile these facts with such a baseless
statement of yours?
statement of yours?
– Re. “an agent of the APC”
Whilst I openly and publicly make known my support for the
General Buhari the candidate of the APC as a Nigerian with a freeborn right and
liberty to choose and support candidates if and when I deem it fit, I must say
I find it really flattering to be labelled an agent of the APC.
General Buhari the candidate of the APC as a Nigerian with a freeborn right and
liberty to choose and support candidates if and when I deem it fit, I must say
I find it really flattering to be labelled an agent of the APC.
This is especially so flattering given the fact that the
previous Saturday I was treated like a gate crasher at the reception held by
the party in honour of the General at the Waterloo Park Plaza in London and not
allowed into the main area of the event.
previous Saturday I was treated like a gate crasher at the reception held by
the party in honour of the General at the Waterloo Park Plaza in London and not
allowed into the main area of the event.
That was after the embarrassment I felt having persuaded a
very reluctant husband of mine to cut short our family outing that day and
dragging him along to a political event outside his comfort zone only for me
not to be allowed into the main area of the reception part!!!!
very reluctant husband of mine to cut short our family outing that day and
dragging him along to a political event outside his comfort zone only for me
not to be allowed into the main area of the reception part!!!!
So I’m very flattered by this statement and say to thanks
for the compliment, this is happily received.
for the compliment, this is happily received.
By the way, the photo with myself and the General’s wife and
daughter I took at the fringes of that reception party as it does look good as
it makes the rounds as people share it as their supporting evidence of this
statement. Thanks for sharing!!! ( I am not ashamed to have had the opportunity
of meeting the General’s wife and daughter. If anything it strengthened my
resolve never to base my judgement of any Nigerian based on propaganda, lies
and bigotry as my conversation with both women increased my resolve that
irrespective where we come from in Nigeria we are bounded by a common humanity.
daughter I took at the fringes of that reception party as it does look good as
it makes the rounds as people share it as their supporting evidence of this
statement. Thanks for sharing!!! ( I am not ashamed to have had the opportunity
of meeting the General’s wife and daughter. If anything it strengthened my
resolve never to base my judgement of any Nigerian based on propaganda, lies
and bigotry as my conversation with both women increased my resolve that
irrespective where we come from in Nigeria we are bounded by a common humanity.
– Re. “We are still investigating how much APC paid their
camera lady (Rose Graham)”
camera lady (Rose Graham)”
The last time I checked my bank account and cash flow I’ve
not received any money from any political party!!
not received any money from any political party!!
To the person who made this statement, I take it that after
a week of your so-called investigation you are now in a position to tell us how
much I have been paid by the APC.
a week of your so-called investigation you are now in a position to tell us how
much I have been paid by the APC.
I’m particularly interested to find out from your
investigation which account this money has been paid into so that I can start
proceedings to recovery that which you think is mine.
investigation which account this money has been paid into so that I can start
proceedings to recovery that which you think is mine.
If to the contrary you had no intention of doing such an
investigation, and made such a statement as a passing remark to distract
attention from discussing the main issues on ground, I say shame on you!!! Our
country has have enough of such tactics so yes, shame on you!!!
investigation, and made such a statement as a passing remark to distract
attention from discussing the main issues on ground, I say shame on you!!! Our
country has have enough of such tactics so yes, shame on you!!!
– Re. “Was Hired and Paid By APC”
I say again to the person making a claim like this in such
an assured manner without any substantive evidence to back it up or an iota of
truth to it, shame on you!!!
an assured manner without any substantive evidence to back it up or an iota of
truth to it, shame on you!!!
And for the records, I have NOT been hired NOR paid by the
APC to do what I do. I do not have any intention of commercialising my right as
a citizen of Nigeria to make a choice and take a stand in what is defining
moment in the history of our country, every Nigerian owe our country the duty
to choose between the available candidates who stand for election as guaranteed
by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. To the characters who
think it is a crime to choose I must say use your internet and Google
“UNIVERSAL ADULT SUFFRAGE” it could help.
APC to do what I do. I do not have any intention of commercialising my right as
a citizen of Nigeria to make a choice and take a stand in what is defining
moment in the history of our country, every Nigerian owe our country the duty
to choose between the available candidates who stand for election as guaranteed
by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. To the characters who
think it is a crime to choose I must say use your internet and Google
“UNIVERSAL ADULT SUFFRAGE” it could help.
Let me bring it to the attention of those who stood by me
that for several weeks before the Chatham house event I had been hounded and
bombarded by and individual claiming to represent the People’s Democratic Party
(PDP) with sinister proposals, it was a proponent of the PDP party who had made
attempts to recruit me into their social media campaign for GEJ an offer which
I turned down and my position made clear as is evidenced in the following
extract from a Facebook messaging exchange I had with a PDP campaign
representative between 4th and 5th Jan ‘15:
that for several weeks before the Chatham house event I had been hounded and
bombarded by and individual claiming to represent the People’s Democratic Party
(PDP) with sinister proposals, it was a proponent of the PDP party who had made
attempts to recruit me into their social media campaign for GEJ an offer which
I turned down and my position made clear as is evidenced in the following
extract from a Facebook messaging exchange I had with a PDP campaign
representative between 4th and 5th Jan ‘15:
====
PDP Rep (real name withheld):
04/01/2015 20:23
“Please Let’s Join Hands And PUSH As Much Information As We
Can On The Positives Of GEJ Into The Media Space By Deploying Your FB And
Twitter Handles.
Can On The Positives Of GEJ Into The Media Space By Deploying Your FB And
Twitter Handles.
Please Use #SUSTAININGTheGAINS…
#GEJ2015…
#GONIGERIA.
Thanks.
I need a budget from you. I also need a strategy doc for
your deployment of Online Media for the GEJ presidential campaign”
your deployment of Online Media for the GEJ presidential campaign”
Me:
04/01/2015 22:46
“With all due respect sir, I’m not on the lookout for a
budget. My contribution is purely out of a deep seated interest for our dear
country. My online media presence strategy is basically to inform, educate and
liaise with friends and contacts on pertinent issues relating to Nigeria in an
engaging manner as I can.”
budget. My contribution is purely out of a deep seated interest for our dear
country. My online media presence strategy is basically to inform, educate and
liaise with friends and contacts on pertinent issues relating to Nigeria in an
engaging manner as I can.”
PDP Rep:
05/01/2015 06:09
“WoW…OK. Thanks for The FeedBack. Appreciate Same. Will
Send You Loads Of Stuff On The Achievements Of The GEJ Government.
Send You Loads Of Stuff On The Achievements Of The GEJ Government.
Also Please Deploy the Hashtag I Sent To You Yesterday. We
need it to go VIRILE.”
need it to go VIRILE.”
NB: For the records, although my political convictions are
very much more aligned with those of APC, It did not stop me from posting
appropriate PDP media campaign information on my social media platform, neither
did it stop me from inviting Peopled Democratic Party representatives to the
PolitrickswithKO programme on BEN-TV.
very much more aligned with those of APC, It did not stop me from posting
appropriate PDP media campaign information on my social media platform, neither
did it stop me from inviting Peopled Democratic Party representatives to the
PolitrickswithKO programme on BEN-TV.
Now that I’ve cleared the air on these matters, it would be
greatly appreciated if we could draw a line under this discussion and focus on
the far more important issues that are affecting us Nigerians.
greatly appreciated if we could draw a line under this discussion and focus on
the far more important issues that are affecting us Nigerians.
We have an election due by the end of this month to prepare
for as we look forward to electing to office the right people we believe have
the best interest at heart for us, best placed to govern the nation and improve
the standard of living for the benefit of all Nigerians.
for as we look forward to electing to office the right people we believe have
the best interest at heart for us, best placed to govern the nation and improve
the standard of living for the benefit of all Nigerians.
May I also take this opportunity to extend my sincere
gratitude to all those who have been supportive of me whilst going through the
ordeals of the past week. Your kind words and actions have been very
encouraging and much appreciated. I am truly blessed to have an understanding
husband who is supportive of my chosen path and appreciates the intricacies of
getting involved in the fight to restore the dignity of Nigerians from the
shackles of forces of darkness.
gratitude to all those who have been supportive of me whilst going through the
ordeals of the past week. Your kind words and actions have been very
encouraging and much appreciated. I am truly blessed to have an understanding
husband who is supportive of my chosen path and appreciates the intricacies of
getting involved in the fight to restore the dignity of Nigerians from the
shackles of forces of darkness.
May God bless us all regardless of our beliefs and
persuasions political or otherwise and May God Bless the Nigeria.
persuasions political or otherwise and May God Bless the Nigeria.
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