PRESS STATEMENT BY DR. DOYIN, SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANT
TO THE PRESIDENT(PUBLIC AFFAIRS) ON THE STATEMENT OF THE ACTION CONGRESS OF
NIGERIA DECLARING THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ORDER PROSCRIBING TERRORIST
ORGANISATIONS CIRCUMSCRIBES PRESS FREEDOM
Our attention to the latest statement by the Action
Congress of Nigeria issued by its national Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai
Mohammed criticizing the proscription of terrorist groups by the Federal
Government.
This latest effort by Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the ACN
not only betrays desperation on the part of the party but is equally lacking in
sound judgment. What its present action suggests is that were the ACN in power
it would have done nothing to stop the needless destruction of lives and
property by the terrorist group proscribed by the Federal Government.
Are we to believe then that the ACN is unhappy with
present peace and calm enjoyed by residents of the states under emergency rule?
Are we to conclude that Alhaji Lai Mohammed and his party are uncomfortable
with the fact that following the intervention of our military, that children
have returned to school and that markets have reopened for business?
This latest uproar by the ACN about the order
affecting or circumscribing press freedom is a blatant lie. It is not supported
by reason, logic or law.
By stating that, “the offensive section of the Order
is Section 5 (1), which prescribes a term of imprisonment of not less than 20
years ‘’for any person who knowingly, in any manner, directly or indirectly,
solicits or renders support for the commission of an act of terrorism or to a
terrorist group’’, is the ACN suggesting that terror should continue unabated
and unchecked?
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| ALHAJI LAI MOHAMMED |
Is the party suggesting that government folds its arms
and let its citizens be murdered in cold blood and properties destroyed at
will?
If the grouse of the ACN is with the word “support”,
we expect Lai Mohammed and his party to clearly understand the difference
between reporting activities as news and dissemination of information on behalf
of terrorists.
Our concern with the ACN’s statement is the
misinformation they are giving Nigerians on the stifling of press freedom.
Neither the intention of the law nor the contents of the order can be
interpreted except by professional mischief makers to mean a suppression of
press freedom.
For the avoidance of doubt, the order is not meant to
stop journalists from carrying out their duties or function of news gathering
or reporting as they differ from terrorist activities. Rather, the order is out
to criminalize acts of incitement by anyone, group of persons or
institutions to commit terrorist acts through dissemination of
terrorist information.
For the last two years, the ACN and Lai Mohammed in
particular, have tried to misrepresent President Goodluck Jonathan and spread
gross misinformation about his policies and actions. Unfortunately, their
efforts have all failed.
It is only a jaundiced organization with no clear
perspective on governance or respect for truth that will state that the only transformation
observable is that of transforming from a democratically elected president to
an emperor or despot. The declaration is bestial, puerile and irresponsible.
Never in the history of this country has a president laid much emphasis on
political liberalism than President Jonathan has done.
The ACN, which Lai Mohammed represents has often been
described as a tyrannical political institution run by an association of
despots and a clearly undemocratic leadership.
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| DR DOYIN OKUPE |
The Transformation Agenda of this administration as
evinced by the mid-term report of President Jonathan is not only unprecedented
but also unrivalled by any administration, whether federal, state or local
government past or present, in the annals of our nation.
If the ACN cannot copy it, they should at least have
the decency and humility to acknowledge it.
Signed:
Dr. Doyin Okupe
June 10, 2013
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