Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has strongly criticized the federal government for the ongoing arrest and detention of journalists who expose corruption in Nigeria. He expressed concern that the government’s use of security agencies to target investigative journalists could push Nigeria towards becoming a Banana Republic.
Obi emphasized the urgent need for the National Assembly to enact a robust Freedom of Information Act. Such legislation would secure the rights of Nigerians to access vital information, ensuring transparency and accountability in government affairs. He stressed that the right to free speech is fundamentally tied to the ability of citizens to access information about government activities.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Obi highlighted the critical role journalists play in holding those in power accountable. He condemned the alarming trend of suppressing information that does not pertain to national security. Obi called on the federal government to immediately release PIDOM, a journalist recently arrested by the police. He urged the government to foster an open society where the freedom of speech is protected, warning that Nigeria risks degenerating into a Banana Republic if these oppressive actions continue.
“This is not the Nigeria we envision,” Obi stated. “We must demand justice, accountability, and an end to these attacks on press freedom. A society where citizens can freely express themselves, access unclassified information, and hold the government accountable is the foundation of the new Nigeria we seek.”