Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has condemned the ongoing harassment of journalists in Nigeria by the authorities.
Obi expressed concern that the federal government’s tendency to use security and intelligence agencies to arrest and detain investigative journalists could drive the country towards becoming a Banana Republic.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) confirmed the arrest of Bristol Tamunobiefiri, also known as PIDOM, who manages the anonymous whistleblower account on X.com under the username @99% OPPRESSED, PIDOMNIGERIA.
In a statement on Friday, force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi disclosed that PIDOM was arrested on August 5 in his hotel room in Rivers State for “committing serious offences that undermine the integrity of government operations.”
Reacting on his X account on Tuesday, Obi called on the National Assembly to uphold the Freedom of Information Act and protect Nigerians’ right to access information.
He stated, “The fundamental right to free speech is closely tied to the right to access information about government actions and decisions.
“The troubling pattern of government agents stifling information unrelated to national security or interest highlights the urgent need for strict adherence to the Freedom of Information Act.
“Journalists and the media are vital in holding those in power accountable, particularly when governments err or overstep their bounds.
“Investigative journalists, who are essential in uncovering the truth, are safeguarded by laws that protect freedom of expression in a democracy.
“It is, therefore, deeply troubling and unacceptable that Nigerian investigative journalists have recently faced harassment, abduction, detention, and other oppressive actions by government agents.”
The former governor of Anambra State urged the federal government to release PIDOM, who was arrested by the police last week, and stressed the importance of an open society where citizens can exercise their right to free speech.
He wrote, “The disappearance and detention of PIDOMNIGERIA, a journalist, is a serious issue.
Nigerian authorities must be held accountable for his whereabouts and any alleged wrongdoing.
“If these actions persist, Nigeria risks descending into a Banana Republic where journalists are silenced or disappear for merely doing their job.
“This is not the Nigeria we aspire to or deserve. We demand justice, accountability, and an end to these outrageous attacks on press freedom.
We seek an open society where citizens can freely express themselves, access unclassified information, and where the government is fully accountable to the people. These are the basic requirements of the new society we aim to build.”
