Stop divisive, bare-faced publicity stunts, be patriotic-Presidency tells SERAP

The Presidency has described as divisive, irresponsible and bare-faced publicity stunts the repeated ridiculous claims from the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) that it is bringing legal action against the Federal Government.

Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, stated this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

The presidential aide was reacting to various legal actions being Instituted against the Government and/ or President of Nigeria by SERAP, almost weekly.

According to Shehu, little is known about SERAP, or who funds them – despite their claims of being an organisation that champions transparency and accountability.

He said: ”To date, SERAP has announced on repeated occasions – each time via a well-funded media campaign – that it is suing the government or President over a range of issues from alleged human rights abuses to alleged corruption.

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”To date, SERAP has not taken their retinue of legal actions to a logical conclusion. They (officers) don’t follow through.

”Yet these headline-grabbing publicity stunts, however baseless, succeed in painting an inaccurate picture of life and governance in Nigeria and – more seriously – in sowing division amongst the Nigerian people during a time of heightened global economic volatility and hardship.”

According to the media aide, Nigeria is comfortable that its record as Africa’s leading democracy and largest economy speaks for itself.

He maintained that Nigeria was amongst the top five countries in Africa for quality of life, and its ranking in the Human Development Index had steadily risen for a decade.

”This success is testament to the rights, rule of law and strong, independent institutions enjoyed by all Nigerian citizens and others who live there.

”Indeed, it is a fact that independent, non-governmental organisations can thrive there – especially those that seek accountability from government.

”Put simply, here lies SERAP’s paradox: in a country without human rights, no rule of law, limited freedom of expression, and weak democratic institutions the cases and cacophony that SERAP causes – even the organisation itself – simply would not be permitted.

”It is unfortunately the case that our progressive, modern, and liberal legal system is open to manipulation by cynical actors who seek nothing but to sow division amongst Nigerians and secure publicity for themselves.

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”With the global pandemic exacerbating poverty across the continent, those who have always sought to divide Nigerians along cultural, racial and political lines for political or financial gain are more dangerous than before,”  he added.

Shehu, therefore, called on SERAP to cease its divisive, irresponsible, and bare-faced publicity stunts and instead follow through on its latest spurious legal claim in a Nigerian court.

He said: ”Let them challenge the government publicly, legally and transparently.

“And while they do so, let them reveal in full view of the nation who they are, and who is funding them.” (NAN)