Our attention has been drawn to the recent move by the APC-led Kwara State government in collaboration with its docile and inept Kwara State House of Assembly to ban live partisan political programmes on all broadcast stations in the state. It is laughable to also add that no reference should be made by parties to the activities of other political parties.
This undemocratic and legislative misconduct is not only a violation of the fundamental human rights of Nigerian citizens, but also an illegal usurpation of duty, abuse of legislative process and embarrassment to the state.
However, we have reliably gathered that the ill fated motion was the outcome of the APC stakeholders meeting with Senate President Bukola Saraki at his residence during the weekend in Ilorin. The move is simply aimed at stopping the most popular, enthusiastic and educative PDP radio programme (PDP gbode), which is creating more awareness and exposing the APC-led Kwara state government’s insensitivity, cluelessness, unimaginable lies, ceaseless deceit and unprecedented corruption; adrive that has shaped the voting pattern of the suffering Kwarans in the November 18th, 2017 local government election.
Nonetheless, the mover of the anti people motion, Hon Kamal Fagbemi, a lawyer, and the entire KWHA ought to have known that freedom of speech is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community to articulate one’s opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation, censorship, or sanction. “Speech” is not limited to public speaking and is generally taken to include all forms of public expression.
It is more worrisome the presiding officer of the KWHA, Dr Ali Ahmad, also a lawyer and a former member of the House of Representatives, who ordinary should have known that the fundamental human rights of Nigeria citizens as encapsulated in the 1999 constitution cannot be altered or sectioned by the law of a state assembly. Hence, guide his colleagues against any motion that will drag the honourable house to disrepute. But unfortunately, went further by directing the attorney general of the state to withdraw the operating licenses of any broadcast station that violates their law. This is the height of legislative rascality and lackluster. One wonders how these two managed to graduate from the Nigerian Law School to qualify as lawyers.
Let me categorically state here that, Kwarans are now more enlightened, focused and committed to the freedom and liberation of our dear state from the dominance of the Saraki hegemony, and PDP is the only alternative to rescue Kwarans and Nigerians from unemployment, infrastructural decay, poverty, impunity and corruption. Therefore, no amount of harassment, intimidation and brigandage can distract us from our mission and vision.
Finally, while we challenge the supposedly honourable members of the KWHA to rise up to their primary responsibility which includes making enabling laws for the good of Kwarans, we also advice the state government to as a matter of urgency, organise an induction course, workshops and seminars for all the members of KWHA with a view of building their capacities, improving their knowledge and acquainting them with the fundamentals of their legislative duties. This will go a long way to safe Kwarans from further legislative embarrassment.
So, help us God!
Prince Haliru Dantsoho Mahmud (Dan’Iyan Kaiama),
State Youth Leader,
Peoples Democratic Party,
Kwara State Chapter
