The
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)
of trying to use the press as a subterfuge to hide its support for insurgents
and to whittle the current efforts by the Federal Government to end acts of
terrorism in the country.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)
of trying to use the press as a subterfuge to hide its support for insurgents
and to whittle the current efforts by the Federal Government to end acts of
terrorism in the country.
National
Publicity Secretary of the opposition party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had in a
statement on Monday claimed that the recent proscription order against Boko
Haram and Ansaru violated the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
as it was capable of stifling the press and tampering with fundamental human
rights of Nigerians.
Publicity Secretary of the opposition party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had in a
statement on Monday claimed that the recent proscription order against Boko
Haram and Ansaru violated the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
as it was capable of stifling the press and tampering with fundamental human
rights of Nigerians.
But
National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, dismissed the claims of
the ACN as he submitted that no part of the presidential order proscribing
terrorists groups, directly or indirectly, violated any provision of the
Constitution or impinged on the freedom of the press in the country.
National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, dismissed the claims of
the ACN as he submitted that no part of the presidential order proscribing
terrorists groups, directly or indirectly, violated any provision of the
Constitution or impinged on the freedom of the press in the country.
Metuh
described the allegation by the ACN, that the order was aimed at gagging the
press, as despicable and a clear indication of how far the opposition party
could go to distort facts to support violence and cause disaffection among
Nigerians. “Our attention has been drawn to a statement sponsored by opposition
ACN in which, in its usual homage to falsehood, deceit and distortion of facts,
tried to suggest that the recent order by President Goodluck Jonathan
proscribing groups engaged in acts of terrorism violates the constitution and
aimed at stifling the press.
described the allegation by the ACN, that the order was aimed at gagging the
press, as despicable and a clear indication of how far the opposition party
could go to distort facts to support violence and cause disaffection among
Nigerians. “Our attention has been drawn to a statement sponsored by opposition
ACN in which, in its usual homage to falsehood, deceit and distortion of facts,
tried to suggest that the recent order by President Goodluck Jonathan
proscribing groups engaged in acts of terrorism violates the constitution and
aimed at stifling the press.
“This
deliberate distortion of facts clearly betrays ACN’s support for such groups as
well as the heinous attempt to whittle efforts by the Federal Government and
well-meaning Nigerians to end insurgency in the country. “For the avoidance of
doubt, no section of the order stifled the press, violated or seeks to violate
any provision of the Constitution. Instead, the order reinforced the provisions
of the Constitution guaranteeing the security and welfare of all Nigerians.”
deliberate distortion of facts clearly betrays ACN’s support for such groups as
well as the heinous attempt to whittle efforts by the Federal Government and
well-meaning Nigerians to end insurgency in the country. “For the avoidance of
doubt, no section of the order stifled the press, violated or seeks to violate
any provision of the Constitution. Instead, the order reinforced the provisions
of the Constitution guaranteeing the security and welfare of all Nigerians.”
The
PDP, which quoted the offensive section, however, maintained that journalists
were not the targets. “Section 5(1), of the order which the ACN is kicking
against 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.’
PDP, which quoted the offensive section, however, maintained that journalists
were not the targets. “Section 5(1), of the order which the ACN is kicking
against 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.’
“The
ACN is feverish because the order defined ‘support’ to include ‘incitement to
commit a terrorist act through the Internet, or any electronic means or through
the use of printed materials or through the dissemination of terrorist
information.’
ACN is feverish because the order defined ‘support’ to include ‘incitement to
commit a terrorist act through the Internet, or any electronic means or through
the use of printed materials or through the dissemination of terrorist
information.’
“By
all indications, it is clear that neither this section nor any other section of
the order for that matter, infringed on the rights of Nigerians and the freedom
of the media as guaranteed by the Constitution.
all indications, it is clear that neither this section nor any other section of
the order for that matter, infringed on the rights of Nigerians and the freedom
of the media as guaranteed by the Constitution.
Rather,
the section clearly seeks to stop incitements to commit a terrorist acts.’ “In
trying to distort the facts, the ACN sought to weaken the fight against
insurgency but ended up betraying its support for acts of terrorism and
Nigerians have taken note,” the party said.
the section clearly seeks to stop incitements to commit a terrorist acts.’ “In
trying to distort the facts, the ACN sought to weaken the fight against
insurgency but ended up betraying its support for acts of terrorism and
Nigerians have taken note,” the party said.
The
PDP said it was solidly behind President Jonathan in what he claimed was “his
untiring efforts to ensure an end to acts of terrorism in the country. It
commended the president for the order, which it described as a welcome
development, adding that, “those who have nothing to hide need not be afraid.”
PDP said it was solidly behind President Jonathan in what he claimed was “his
untiring efforts to ensure an end to acts of terrorism in the country. It
commended the president for the order, which it described as a welcome
development, adding that, “those who have nothing to hide need not be afraid.”
The
PDP in the statement further urged “Nigerians to continue to go about their
legitimate businesses as well as note the activities and interests of parties
such as the ACN.”
PDP in the statement further urged “Nigerians to continue to go about their
legitimate businesses as well as note the activities and interests of parties
such as the ACN.”
Source: Sun
