The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election and former Governor of Anambra State between 2006 and 2014, Mr. Peter Obi has called for the passage of a Freedom of Information Bill despite an existing FOI Act that was passed by the national assembly and signed into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan on 31st May, 2011.
Mr. Peter Obi made this call on Tuesday morning while weighing in on the arrest of a self-acclaimed investigative journalist who uses his X (twitter) handle @PIDOMNIGERIA to post propaganda, malicious and defamatory contents, leaked official classified information and general fake news.
Mr. Peter Obi said that 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”, Mr. Peter Obi wrote.
“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 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”, the former PDP Vice Presidential candidate noted.
This latest gaffee by Mr. Peter Obi casts doubts on Mr. Peter Obi’s grasp of recent history in a country he is desperately seeking to govern. The Freedom of Information Bill was signed by President Goodluck Jonathan, who was President during the term of office of Mr. Peter Obi as Governor of Anambra State. Mr. Peter Obi also served as Honorary Adviser to President Jonathan on the Economy and was later appointee as the Chairman of the Security Exchange Commission (SEC).