Kwara PDP Condemns Remand Of Nupeko TV Publisher
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has expressed concern and disappointment over the remand of the Publisher of Nupeko TV Lafiagi, Mr. Abdulrahman Bologi, at the Correctional Centre following a defamation suit filed by the Kwara State Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Yunusa Lade.
In a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the party said It is shameful that Abdulrazaq's government that came to power on the wings of freedom of expression and accountability has now become a tool of intimidation against journalists and people voices who dare to question its failures,”
Our Party sees the remand of NupekotvLafiagi as another glaring example of the intolerance, abuse of power, executive rascality and suppression of dissent that have become hallmarks of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s administration.
We are particulars disappointment that Hon. Usman Lade, the Commissioner for Water Resources, who is himself a young man and once a beneficiary of public goodwill, has suddenly grown intolerant of criticism and dissent. The PDP said Lade’s decision to drag a young journalist to court over a simple publication questioning his false claims about the Lafiagi Waterworks project is a disturbing sign of arrogance and poor democratic culture.
“Up till this moment, the people of Lafiagi still suffer from water scarcity, contrary to the false claims made by Mr Lade and his ministry that the community now enjoys a functional water system. Nupeko TV only did what responsible journalism requires — to expose the truth, ask questions, and defend the people’s right to basic amenities,”
The PDP while commending Nupeko TV Lafiagi and its publisher for their courage, professionalism, and commitment to truth in journalism also called on the Kwara State Judiciary to operate with the fear of God and uphold the principles of justice and fairness in the discharge of its duties.
"While we acknowledging that the granting of bail is at the discretion of the court, the PDP reminded the judiciary that defamation is a bailable offence under Nigerian law, and bail conditions must never be used as an instrument of punishment or oppression against an innocent man.
The Party calls on Attorney General of Federation, Barrister Lateef Fagbemi to pay rapt attention to Kwara judiciary, warning that the continued weaponization of the courts and security agencies against journalists, opposition figures, and civic voices in Kwara State poses a grave danger to democracy.
We are calling on civil society organizations, human rights activists, and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to rise in defense of press freedom and the protection of journalists from intimidation and arbitrary detention. The PDP stands with Nupeko TV Lafiagi and every journalist committed to holding power accountable in Kwara State.
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