The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate has condemned the ongoing harassment of journalists by Nigerian authorities.
Obi warned that the country is at risk of turning into a “Banana Republic,” where journalists are either silenced or disappear for merely performing their duties.
His remarks came in response to the recent disappearance of whistleblower, PIDOM Nigeria.
Investigative journalist David Hundeyin revealed on X.com that the anonymous whistleblower known as 99% Oppressed, who tweets as #PIDOMNIGERIA, is alive and in police custody, and will be arraigned in court. Hundeyin’s update on Friday followed intense public pressure and media inquiries about the whistleblower’s status.
The Nigerian Police Force confirmed that PIDOM Nigeria is being held at the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja, facing allegations of undermining government integrity by leaking classified documents and committing cyber-related offenses. In response, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, condemned the suppression of information unrelated to national security, calling it an alarming trend.
“Disturbing and unacceptable” was the harassment, abduction, detention, and other draconian measures against Nigerian investigative journalists by agents of the government lately.
“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.
“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,” he said.
Obi stated that Nigerian authorities must be held accountable for the whistleblower’s 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,” he said.
Pro-democracy activist Omoyele Sowore also condemned the action and called for the immediate release of PIDOM Nigeria. In a post on X on Friday, Sowore wrote:
“I woke up to the heart-wrenching report of the abduction and secret detention of whistleblower and undercover journalist #PIDOMNIGERIA by forces related to the #officialABAT; going by the modus operandi of the regime, #PIDOMNIGERIA could be harmed if everything is not done to secure his release immediately.
“I, therefore, request the #officialABAT regime Gestapo unit holding #PIDOMNIGERIA to release him or her immediately. The same applies to all #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters illegally or extralegally detained across Nigeria.”
