Action
Congress of Nigeria has accused the President Goodluck Jonathan administration
of launching an assault on the civil rights of Nigerians.
Congress of Nigeria has accused the President Goodluck Jonathan administration
of launching an assault on the civil rights of Nigerians.
The
party stated this while reacting to a report that the Federal Government had
awarded a $40m Internet surveillance contract.
party stated this while reacting to a report that the Federal Government had
awarded a $40m Internet surveillance contract.
According
to an online newspaper,Premium Times, the contract will allow the government
to monitor the Internet communication of privacy of citizens, especially
journalists and those considered to be opponents of the administration.
to an online newspaper,Premium Times, the contract will allow the government
to monitor the Internet communication of privacy of citizens, especially
journalists and those considered to be opponents of the administration.
An
Israeli firm reportedly won the contract.
Israeli firm reportedly won the contract.
The
ACN, in a statement in Lagos on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary,
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said since the contract was reported, the government
had yet to deny it.
ACN, in a statement in Lagos on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary,
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said since the contract was reported, the government
had yet to deny it.
It said
because the government had yet to deny the report several days after its
publication, it was safe to submit that it was true.
because the government had yet to deny the report several days after its
publication, it was safe to submit that it was true.
The party
said the contract would mark the beginning of what would be the curtailment of
the right to freedom of speech and expression and the freedom of the press.
said the contract would mark the beginning of what would be the curtailment of
the right to freedom of speech and expression and the freedom of the press.
The ACN
stated, “For a government that is increasingly paranoid, having failed to
stated, “For a government that is increasingly paranoid, having failed to
meet
the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry, who are justifiably becoming
restive by the day, the ability to spy on the Internet communications of
citizens as well as to intercept and read private emails, not to talk of being
able to suppress unwanted connections, is a potent weapon against the civil
rights of Nigerians as well as the constitutionally-guaranteed rights
like freedom of expression, freedom of the press and freedom of association.
the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry, who are justifiably becoming
restive by the day, the ability to spy on the Internet communications of
citizens as well as to intercept and read private emails, not to talk of being
able to suppress unwanted connections, is a potent weapon against the civil
rights of Nigerians as well as the constitutionally-guaranteed rights
like freedom of expression, freedom of the press and freedom of association.
“It is
common knowledge that the Jonathan administration has been getting a bad rap
from Nigerians in the traditional media as well as the social media – a
veritable platform for the citizens to vent their frustrations at a do-nothing
government.
common knowledge that the Jonathan administration has been getting a bad rap
from Nigerians in the traditional media as well as the social media – a
veritable platform for the citizens to vent their frustrations at a do-nothing
government.
“It is
also common knowledge that journalists have borne the brunt of the administration’s
increasing propensity to stifle freedom of expression and press freedom, while
members of the opposition are being portrayed more and more as enemies of the
administration, rather than being seen as indispensable allies in the nation’s
quest to evolve a strong and enduring democracy.
also common knowledge that journalists have borne the brunt of the administration’s
increasing propensity to stifle freedom of expression and press freedom, while
members of the opposition are being portrayed more and more as enemies of the
administration, rather than being seen as indispensable allies in the nation’s
quest to evolve a strong and enduring democracy.
“These
may have been the motivation for the administration to acquire the Internet
Surveillance capability. However, no government in the history of our country,
whether elected or otherwise, has taken this kind of brazen measure for
whatever reason, hence it must raise serious concerns among the citizenry,
their political representatives as well as civil liberties organisations.”
may have been the motivation for the administration to acquire the Internet
Surveillance capability. However, no government in the history of our country,
whether elected or otherwise, has taken this kind of brazen measure for
whatever reason, hence it must raise serious concerns among the citizenry,
their political representatives as well as civil liberties organisations.”
The
party said the government might want to hoodwink Nigerians by saying the
technology was to enable it to keep a tab on insurgents.
party said the government might want to hoodwink Nigerians by saying the
technology was to enable it to keep a tab on insurgents.
It said
such justification was not acceptable it violated the country’s constitution.
such justification was not acceptable it violated the country’s constitution.
ACN
added, “This is why we are calling on the National Assembly, civil liberties
organisations, professional groups and ordinary citizens to speak out now
before it is too late. No government should have the right to play a ‘Big
Brother’ role in the lives of the citizens, because this will ultimately herald
the return to autocratic rule and sound the death knell of our democracy.”
added, “This is why we are calling on the National Assembly, civil liberties
organisations, professional groups and ordinary citizens to speak out now
before it is too late. No government should have the right to play a ‘Big
Brother’ role in the lives of the citizens, because this will ultimately herald
the return to autocratic rule and sound the death knell of our democracy.”
However,
the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Dr. Ahmed Gulak, on
Sunday, said the ACN did not have any moral ground to be attacking the Federal
Government as it was doing.
the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Dr. Ahmed Gulak, on
Sunday, said the ACN did not have any moral ground to be attacking the Federal
Government as it was doing.
The
presidential aide, who said he would not comment on the Internet contract based
on speculation, noted that the ACN and its national leader, Asiwaju Bola
Tinubu, lacked the moral platform on which they could be criticising Federal
Government.
presidential aide, who said he would not comment on the Internet contract based
on speculation, noted that the ACN and its national leader, Asiwaju Bola
Tinubu, lacked the moral platform on which they could be criticising Federal
Government.
Gulak
said, “I am not aware of that (the surveillance contract). I cannot make
comment on it based on speculation. I like making comments on issues from
informed point of view.”
said, “I am not aware of that (the surveillance contract). I cannot make
comment on it based on speculation. I like making comments on issues from
informed point of view.”
Source: Punch
