The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has slammed the federal government for the continued arrest and detention of journalists in the country for exposing corruption.
Peter Obi said with the continuing trend of the federal government using security and intelligence service agencies to arrest and detain investigative journalists, Nigeria risks degenerating into a Banana Republic.
Obi noted that the time had come for the National Assembly to enact a Freedom of Information Act that would guarantee the rights of Nigerians to access information.
He argued that the fundamental right to free speech is linked to the right to access information about the activities of the government.
In a statement on Tuesday, Obi said, “The fundamental right to free speech is inextricably linked to the right to access information about government activities and decision-making.
“The alarming trend of government agents suppressing information unrelated to national security or interest underscores the urgent need for the Freedom of Information Bill.
“Citizens rely on journalists and the media to hold those in power accountable, particularly when governments err or overreach.
“Investigative journalists, who play a crucial role in uncovering truth, are protected by the laws that guard and protect freedom of expression in a democracy. It is therefore deeply disturbing and unacceptable that Nigerian investigative journalists have of late been subjected to harassment, abduction, detention, and other draconian measures by agents of the government.”
The former governor of Anambra State further called on the federal government to release PIDOM arrested by police last week. He emphasized that the government must guarantee an open society where citizens must exercise their right to free speech.
“The disappearance and detention of PIDOMNIGERIA, a journalist, is a grave concern Nigerian authorities must be held accountable for his whereabouts and any alleged wrongdoing. If such actions continue, Nigeria risks degenerating into a Banana Republic where journalists are silenced or simply disappear for simply doing their job.
“This is not the Nigeria we want or deserve. We demand justice, accountability, and an end to these egregious attacks on press freedom. We seek an open society in which citizens express themselves freely, have access to unclassified information and in which government is fully accountable to the citizens. These are the minimum requirements of the new society we seek,” Obi added.
