Politics
SERAP, NGE Caution Tinubu, Govs Against Repressive Legislation
As the international community marks the World Press Freedom Day, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) have urged Nigerian authorities at all levels of government to desist from repressive and anti-media laws.
The statement followed the interactive session on ‘the state of press freedom in Nigeria’ held today at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja. The event was jointly organized by the SERAP and the NGE to mark the World Press Freedom Day.
In a joint statement, the SERAP and the NGE asserted, “the government of President Bola Tinubu, the country’s 36 governors and FCT minister must now genuinely uphold press freedom, ensure access to information to all Nigerians, obey court judgments, and respect the rule of law.”
The groups expressed “serious concerns about the escalating crackdown on the right to freedom of expression and media freedom and the flagrant disregard for the rule of law by authorities at all levels of government.”
The groups “note that the suppression of the press in recent times takes various forms ranging from extrajudicial to unlawful detentions, disappearances, malicious prosecutions and wrongful use of both legislation and law enforcement.”
The statement, read in part: “We would continue to speak truth to power and to hold authorities to account for their constitutional and international obligations including on freedom of expression and media freedom.
“Nigeria as a country has a long and unpleasant history of press gagging and clampdown on media freedom, which is evidence of extensive state censorship of media and in some cases, the utter control of state-owned media houses.
“This position has not changed considerably despite almost 25 years of unbroken democratic rule in the Fourth Republic.
“We are concerned that press freedom remains under threat, especially due to economic challenges and other challenges such as navigating digital surveillance, hacking, online harassment and internet shutdowns.
“Freedom of the press is one of the cornerstones of a democratic society. Journalism is not a crime; it is fundamental to a free society.
“Freedom of the press is closely related to the freedom of expression, found in article section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the provisions of international human rights treaties such as article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.
“Press freedom is essential for journalists and media organisations to report freely in the public interest. Press freedom also has wider significance, as a free and independent media contributes to transparency and accountability of government.
“Press freedom is therefore essential not only for free speech as a public good but also for the enjoyment of other human rights.
“It is important not only to journalists and media organisations, which publish the information but also to citizens, who have a right to access information from a diversity of sources.
“This in turn is essential to ensuring the effective exercise of the right to participate in one’s government and the proper election of the people’s representatives.
“Extensive research has been carried out on the existing legislation and the deliberate proposing of Bills aimed at silencing dissenting voices and muffling the press. In addition, there are a plethora of cases of threats, intimidation and actual aggression employing law enforcement, regulating bodies, and State might.
“There are incessant reports of censorship and surveillance, all aimed at identifying and silencing dissenting opinions rendered in mainstream media or other social media channels.
“We are concerned that freedom of information requests are frequently refused by authorities at all levels of government. “Inadequate funding and lack of access to independent funding have also been identified as major hindrances to media freedom.
“We therefore urge the Federal Government to take effective and concrete measures to review existing laws to reflect respect for media freedom and human rights.
“The NBC must stop using its codes to clampdown on broadcast stations and to impose arbitrary fines on them. The NBC must review its codes to bring them in line with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and international human rights standards.
“We urge the Federal Government to review laws like the Official Secrets Act, Criminal Code Act and Cybercrime Act for potential restrictions on free speech and press; and amend them in line with international human rights standards and Agreements, including the Windhoek Declaration for the Development of a Free, Independent and Pluralistic Press.
“We urge the Federal Government to strengthen the independence of regulatory bodies like the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Nigerian Press Council (NPC) to ensure impartial regulation and promote self-regulation within the media.
“We urge the Attorney General to push for the immediate amendment of the Cybercrimes Act and other repressive legislation, and bring these laws in line with the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and international human rights obligations to which Nigeria is a state party.
“We urge the Attorney General to advise President Bola Tinubu to promptly obey all outstanding court judgments including the ECOWAS Court judgment directing the Federal Government to repeal the repressive Cybercrimes Act and bring it in conformity with Nigeria’s international human rights obligations and commitments.
“We urge the Minister of Information to promptly review restrictive and oppressive media legislation in Nigeria and pursue the immediate revision of any provisions that violate the right to freedom of expression, access to information including online and media freedom, and ensure that any restrictions on media freedom are necessary, proportionate and the least restrictive.
“We urge the Minister of Information to ensure that the regulatory mechanisms including the National Broadcasting Commission are independent and promote self-regulation of the media.
“We urge the Minister of Information to publicly express commitment to the promotion and protection of freedom of expression and access to information including online and media freedom in Nigeria.
“We urge state governors to ensure that security agencies, the Nigeria Police Force and other authorities drop all charges against journalists, bloggers and other media workers, and critics, and cease further arbitrary closures of radio and television stations.
“We urge state governors to publicly support and commit to the protection and promotion of the right to freedom of expression, access to information and the media freedom, including public reporting of sensitive political and other issues within their states.
“We urge state governors to ensure that any government or security officials found responsible for obstructing, abusing, or attacking journalists, critics or media organisations are appropriately disciplined or prosecuted.
“We urge state governors to publicly support and ensure the direct and full application of the Freedom of Information Act within their respective states.
“We urge state governors to ensure adequate compensation and reparation for victims of human rights violations in their respective states, including restitution, satisfaction, and guarantee of non-repetition.
“We urge the National Assembly to immediately harmonise all laws pertaining to freedom of expression, media freedom and civic space in Nigeria to confer authority on a specific independent agency that will oversee the collection, maintenance, usage, and dissemination of the personal information and records of all citizens and prioritise fundamental human rights.
“We urge the National Assembly leadership to sponsor a resolution condemning the persistent violations of freedom of expression, media freedom and crackdown on civic space in Nigeria and all harassment, intimidation, and attacks on journalists, critics, bloggers and media organisations by state governors and the Federal Government.
“We urge the National Assembly to promptly and comprehensively review the Cybercrimes Act and other restrictive legislation, and revise them as appropriate to bring them into line with Nigeria’s international human rights obligations and commitments regarding the right to freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom.
“We urge the National Assembly to immediately drop any social media and other bills that would restrict freedom of expression, media freedom and civic space and undermine the effective enjoyment of these rights in Nigeria.
“We urge the international community to encourage the Nigerian authorities to uphold constitutional and international human rights obligations on human rights and to respect, protect, promote and fulfil these rights including freedom of expression and opinion, access to information and privacy online and offline, and ensure a free and independent media landscape.
“We urge the international community to hold Nigerian authorities to account for violations of human rights in the country including by calling on the authorities at both the Federal and state levels to immediately and unconditionally release anyone detained solely for peacefully exercising their human rights and to immediately withdraw any charges against them.”
The interactive session was attended by senior members of the media, civil society groups and other stakeholders. Those who attended the event included: Gbenga Adefaye, Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism; Richard Akinnola; Eze Anaba, President, NGE; Dr Iyobosa Uwugiaren, NGE’s Secretary; Lanre Idowu, CEO Diamond Publications Ltd; and Abiodun Odusote, Professor of Law, UNILAG.
Others who attended the event included: Mustapha Isah former President, NGE; and Silverbird News director; Mr. Fred Braimoh, Deputy director FRCN; and Paulyn Ogbodaga, executive director, AIT.
Party loyalty and personal leanings on the political gbas-gbos rocking the Nigerian Senate have echoed in Edo State with women groups moving publicly against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
These turn of events, which appeared to have the blessing of the Edo State Government was detailed in a government house statement in Benin City, under the signature of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua.
According to the statement, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial Woman Leader for Edo South, Hon. Barr. Itohan Osahon, led protest demanding that Sen Akpoti-Uduaghan should apologise to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
ALSO READ: Reps Approve Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills, Senate To Follow
Itua made clear on which side the Edo State was standing, when the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Musa Ikhilor, received the pro-Akpabio demonstrators, on behalf of the governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
He cited the President, Senior Citizens of Edo State, Rosemary Elawure, as having made it clear that the women embarked on the peaceful protest in support of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The statement reads, “A group of concerned women from Edo State has called on Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to humble herself and apologize to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Nigerians for dragging the name of the nation in the mud.
The women gave the charge during a peaceful protest to the Edo State Government House.
Led by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial Woman Leader for Edo South, Hon. Barr. Itohan Osahon, the women were received by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Musa Ikhilor on behalf of the governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo who was out of the State on an official assignment.
Speaking, Osahon said: “We are concerned women of Edo State and we are not comfortable with what is going on at the red chamber. Natasha is not the only woman in the Senate and the Senate is not about sexual harassment.
“She was suspended because she violated the rules of the Senate and she is manipulating the whole issue against the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio. Senator Natasha has been suspended for six months for disobeying the Senate Rules, not for sexual harassment.
“We don’t want her to abuse the opportunity given to her to serve her people. Our First Lady was once a senator and was there for years and such issue was not experienced. We have had many women in the Senate and House of Representatives and we have not had issues like this.
“Traveling all around the world, disgracing the country, making us the laughing stock and making a whole lot of noise about the issue. She should just apologize to the Senate. Edo State women are women who respect tradition and respect our men. She should not drag us to the mud.
“Our demand is that Natasha should be called to order and sentiments should not come to play and she should respect the rules of the Senate.”
The President, Senior Citizens of Edo State, Mrs. Rosemary Elawure said the women embarked on the peaceful protest in support of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
She said Sen. Natasha lied against Senator Akpabio and that she was not the only senator whose seat was changed in the red chambers.
“Senior citizens don’t support things that will not bring progress and development to the country. Edo women are in support of the Senate President who has a very beautiful and intelligent wife who is humble and respectful. We urge Senator Natasha to be respectful and obey the rules of the Senate,” she counselled.
The women asked her to apologize to the Senate, House of Representatives as well as State Houses of Assembly in the country.
Receiving the women, Barr. Ikhilor commended them for a peaceful protest and expressing themselves freely, noting that women are very big stakeholders in Edo State.
He noted that the National Assembly is for all Nigerians and thanked the women for adding their voices to the issues concerning Sen. Natasha and the President of the Senate.
“You are here to make a very strong point regarding what is going on as it is now disturbing. It is wrong for facts to be distorted and manipulated. Nigerians are beginning to become conscious.
“Nigerians are aware of what happened in the Senate. The issue is all about the rules and regulations and anyone who disobeys them should face the consequences. Women are fighting for bigger issues facing them and Sen. Natasha can’t serve as the stumbling block stopping women from progressing.
“Sen. Akpabio has made a distinguished career in public service and we have confidence in him and his ability to manage the red chamber. The Senate is not a place for content creation and distractions but for serious minded people. Information should not be manipulated or distorted as Nigerians know what is happening in the Senate and can’t be deceived again.
“The governor is a senator and knows what happened in the chamber. He has confidence in the Senate President Godswill Akpabio. He will carry this message to different levels as we all have to protect our institutions.”
The House of Representatives has adopted the report on the four tax reform bills of the President Bola Ahmend Tinubu administration.
The house made the adoption on Thursday at plenary in Abuja.
Having scaled the lower house, the tax reform bills now await the endorsement of the Senate.
ALSO READ: Economic Reforms Aim To Protect Nigeria’s Future – Tinubu
Notably, the adopted bills include the Nigerian Tax Bill, the Tax Administration Bill, the Revenue Tax Board Bill, and the Nigerian Revenue Service Establishment Bill.
The chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Hon James Abiodun Faleke, said, “These bills underwent three full days of public hearings, with input from over 80 key stakeholders. Afterwards, we held an eight-day retreat to debate each clause.”
He assured Nigerians that the tax reform bills would produce widely acceptable laws.
“I am glad that House members recognised our thorough work and approved all our recommendations,” Faleke said.
He thanked fellow lawmakers and the House leadership for entrusting his committee with processing the tax bills and presenting them for consideration.
He commended President Tinubu for prioritising tax law reforms, noting that some existing tax laws date back to 1959.
“We cannot continue using outdated tax laws that no longer meet our business, survival, and revenue needs,” he stressed.
On his part, the Deputy Committee Chairman, Hon Saidu Abdullahi (APC-Niger), noted that no bill in the 10th Assembly had generated as much debate as the tax reform bills.
He praised Speaker Tajudeen Abbas for fostering consensus among stakeholders, ensuring broad-based input into the legislative process.
Hon Abdullahi highlighted that representatives from all geopolitical zones and regional thought leaders were involved, easing public concerns.
“The committee’s recommendations reflect the contributions of various stakeholders.
“These were never seen as perfect documents. The Executive made proposals, and the public hearing allowed Nigerians to refine them. Lawmakers have now endorsed the final version,” he added.
In the same vein, Hon Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere (PDP-Imo) described the process as transparent, with consultants and the Executive making adjustments to reflect public interest.
“In spite of being in the opposition, we are proud of this historic moment. It will expand the tax net and increase government revenue.
“This reform will enhance tax collection efficiency while protecting small businesses. That is why we worked together to ensure its passage,” Hon Ugochinyere said.
In the views of Hon Benson Babajimi (APC-Lagos), all stakeholder concerns, including inheritance tax, derivation, and VAT, were carefully considered.
“This is a great day for Nigeria. The House has approved the necessary reforms, and we now await Senate concurrence,” he said.
The ragging battle for the soul of Edo State between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a dramatic turn, with the APC-run government accusing the PDP leadership of being the brain behind the menace of kidnapping ravaging the state.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, in a statement in Benin City on Tuesday averred that intelligence reports indicate the involvement of PDP leaders in recent kidnappings and violent crimes across the state.
He posited that the opposition PDP was sponsoring insecurity in Edo State as part of calculated efforts to undermine the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
ALSO READ: Under Tinubu, Nigeria Is Moving In Right Direction
Itua described the PDP’s outcry over insecurity as “crocodile tears,” accusing them of deliberately orchestrating chaos while pretending to be concerned about public safety.
According to Itua, “The sudden concern expressed by PDP leaders is nothing but a smokescreen to divert attention from their own complicity. These are the same individuals who, during the 2024 governorship election, armed non-state actors with dangerous weapons, many of which were never recovered. Today, those weapons are in the hands of criminals terrorizing innocent Edo citizens.”
He added that the PDP’s strategy was to create an atmosphere of fear, spread misinformation, and discredit the current administration.
“Their goal is clear — destabilize the state, weaken public confidence in Governor Okpebholo’s leadership, and push a false narrative of failure. But Edo people can see through these antics,” Itua stated.
He revealed that the state government has called on security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, to launch a thorough investigation into the alleged involvement of PDP leaders in the rising wave of kidnappings and armed violence.
“No individual or political group should be allowed to hold the state hostage for political gain. Those found culpable must face the full wrath of the law,” he added.
Gov Okpebholo’s administration reaffirmed its commitment to tackling insecurity and ensuring the protection of lives and property. The government urged Edo residents to remain vigilant and not fall for what it described as the PDP’s “deceptive tactics.”
Itua pointed out that “Insecurity thrives when its perpetrators believe they are untouchable. It is time for security agencies to prove them wrong.”
Ohanivo Upbeat As Sen Umahi Emerges Silverbird’s Most Outstanding Minister Of The Year
I Need Help, I’ve Gone Back To Being A Boy – James Brown
Kano Gov’t Clarifies Appeal Court Ruling On Emirship Dispute
Niger Delta Youths Threaten Oil Shutdown Over Rivers Crisis
Edo Women Protest Against Natasha Over Akpabio
