The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the renewed clampdown on the media and alleged gagging of free speech in our country by the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government. This comes after the N5million fine levelled against Nigeria Info for an alleged hate speech by the Federal Government.
The party said this in a statement released on Friday 14th August 2020, by their National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan.
Mr Ologbondiyan said that without prejudice to the allegations or claims against Nigeria Info, a broadcast station, on issues of content, the Federal Government cannot, on its own, impose sanctions against a media house or individuals for expressing their right to free speech.
The PDP holds that if any anybody, be him the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a state governor, a Senator of the Federal Republic, a Member of the House of Representatives, a public entity, or even the most ordinary Nigerian, have been libelled or infringed upon by any other Nigerian, the process for redress is clearly stated in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and should be followed.
“As a party, the PDP stands against draconian methods or underhand measures which this administration has set out to gag the media and erode the rights of Nigerians as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Our party holds that due process must be followed for redress in instances where violations are alleged and not by extrajudicial sanctions and clampdown on the media, as being witnessed under the APC administration,” Mr Kola Ologbondiyan added.
The PDP also said that they are standing in solidarity with Nigerians, and Nigeria Info, where they condemned the alleged attempt by the Federal government to gag the media.
The party asks the APC led the federal government to rescind its draconian actions and reverse to due process, as provided by the 1999 Constitution in handling issues relating to the freedom of the media.