Peter Obi, the Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate, has condemned the increasing harassment of journalists by Nigerian authorities. His remarks follow the recent disappearance of whistleblower PIDOM Nigeria, who was later confirmed to be in police custody, facing allegations related to government document leaks.
Obi expressed concern about the troubling trend of suppressing information unrelated to national security. He emphasized that such actions undermine the fundamental right to free speech and access to information, urging for the urgent passage of the Freedom of Information Bill.
Pro-democracy activist Omoyele Sowore also denounced the detention of PIDOM Nigeria, calling for their immediate release and criticizing the regime's tactics. This comes amid reports of other journalist arrests, including Adejuwon Soyinka, who was detained by the DSS but later released with his passport confiscated.
Obi warned that if these repressive measures continue, Nigeria risks becoming a "Banana Republic" where journalists are silenced or disappear, demanding justice and an end to attacks on press freedom.
