By Adeyemi Adekunle
The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has issued a strong condemnation of a statement made by the Save Nigeria Movement (SNM), urging law enforcement and security agencies to curtail the use of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act by civil society organizations (CSOs). This rebuttal highlights the ongoing struggle between transparency advocates and those perceived to be undermining democratic principles in Nigeria.
SNM had called on the Inspector-General of Police and intelligence services through a press release to “checkmate” the alleged activities of CSOs engaged in what they described as blackmail and extortion of government officials through the FOI Act.
The statement which was co-signed by Rev. Solomon Semaka and Dr. Richard Oduma, who positioned themselves as co-conveners of a so-called Task Force on Illegal CSOs.
While speaking MRA’s Communications Office, Mr. Idowu Adewale, strongly criticized this call, saying it does not only represents an attempt to undermine the FOI Act but also threatens to silence the voices advocating for transparency, accountability, and good governance in the country.
“This troubling statement by the SNM is aimed at discrediting one of Nigeria’s vital tools for civic engagement,” Adewale said.
He pinpoints the digital footprint of the SNM’s co-signatories as a red flag, positing that they appear more aligned with state security interests than with genuine civil society initiatives.
“It’s evident that these individuals are acting on behalf of specific interests that seek to stifle legitimate inquiries into public governance,” he stated.
The Freedom of Information Act is considered a cornerstone of democratic practice, empowering citizens, journalists, and civil society actors to access official information, thereby fostering accountability and exposing corrupt practices. Adewale was quick to reiterate the importance of this legislation, which he described as a global standard.
“The act empowers the public to hold government officials accountable and is enshrined as a fundamental human right under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” he proclaimed.
The MRA’s response comes amid rising concerns about the role of transparency in governance and the alarming attempts by some groups to curtail fundamental rights.
Adewale condemned the SNM’s posture, arguing that it reflects a worrying trend of vilifying civil society actors who engage in oversight, characterizing them as threats instead of allies in the fight against corruption.
He stressed, “Using accusations of blackmail and extortion as a means to intimidate and suppress CSOs is a direct assault on the rights of Nigerians to access information held by public institutions.” The MRA emphasized that transparency is vital to good governance and that public officials, as custodians of public resources, should expect and welcome scrutiny.
Adewale emphasized on the apparent irony of the SNM, described as an unregistered organization, calling for the regulation of so-called illegal CSOs while themselves advocating for less transparency in government. “It’s laughable to suggest that legitimate requests for information constitute blackmail and extortion,” he said, adding that such claims merely reflect the SNM’s desperation to undermine civil society’s role in governance.
This clash between the MRA and the SNM underscores a broader debate about the role of civil society in Nigeria and the importance of protecting democratic institutions. As the country grapples with issues of governance and accountability, the defense of the FOI Act emerges as a critical frontier in the ongoing struggle for human rights and democratic integrity.
Adewale called for unity in rejecting any attempts to dilute the FOI Act, asserting, “The Freedom of Information Act is a shield for democracy. Any efforts to weaken or demean it—whether cloaked in concerns about corruption or otherwise—must be resisted by all who value Nigeria’s democratic future.”
