ACN Urges Nigerians To Resist Jonathan’s “Evil” $40 Million
Internet Spy Contract
29.04.2013, 7:16 Local
Action Congress of Nigeria has accused the President
Goodluck Jonathan administration of launching an assault on
the civil rights of Nigerians.
The party stated this while reacting to a report that the Federal
Government had awarded a $40m Internet surveillance contract.
According to an online newspaper, Premium Times, the contract
will allow the government to monitor the Internet communication
of privacy of citizens, especially journalists and those considered
to be opponents of the administration.
An Israeli firm reportedly won the contract.
The ACN, in a statement in Lagos on Sunday by its National
Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said since the contract
was reported, the government had yet to deny it.
It said because the government had yet to deny the report several
days after its publication, it was safe to submit that it was true.
The party said the contract would mark the beginning of what
would be the curtailment of the right to freedom of speech and
expression and the freedom of the press.
The ACN stated, "For a government that is increasingly paranoid,
having failed to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the
citizenry, who are justifiably becoming restive by the day, the
ability to spy on the Internet communications of citizens as well
as to intercept and read private emails, not to talk of being able
to suppress unwanted connections, is a potent weapon against
the civil rights of Nigerians as well as the constitutionally-
guaranteed rights like freedom of expression, freedom of the
press and freedom of association.
"It is common knowledge that the Jonathan administration has
been getting a bad rap from Nigerians in the traditional media as
well as the social media - a veritable platform for the citizens to
vent their frustrations at a do-nothing government.
"It is also common knowledge that journalists have borne the
brunt of the administration's increasing propensity to stifle
freedom of expression and press freedom, while members of the
opposition are being portrayed more and more as enemies of the
administration, rather than being seen as indispensable allies in
the nation's quest to evolve a strong and enduring democracy.
"These may have been the motivation for the administration to
acquire the Internet Surveillance capability. However, no
government in the history of our country, whether elected or
otherwise, has taken this kind of brazen measure for whatever
reason, hence it must raise serious concerns among the citizenry,
their political representatives as well as civil liberties
organisations."
The party said the government might want to hoodwink Nigerians
by saying the technology was to enable it to keep a tab on
insurgents.
It said such justification was not acceptable it violated the
country's constitution.
ACN added, "This is why we are calling on the National Assembly,
civil liberties organisations, professional groups and ordinary
citizens to speak out now before it is too late. No government
should have the right to play a 'Big Brother' role in the lives of
the citizens, because this will ultimately herald the return to
autocratic rule and sound the death knell of our democracy."
However, the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters,
Dr. Ahmed Gulak, on Sunday, said the ACN did not have any
moral ground to be attacking the Federal Government as it was
doing.
The presidential aide, who said he would not comment on the
Internet contract based on speculation, noted that the ACN and
its national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, lacked the moral
platform on which they could be criticising Federal Government.
Gulak said, "I am not aware of that (the surveillance contract). I
cannot make comment on it based on speculation. I like making
comments on issues from informed point of view."

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Well, that won't stop me from talking! I must continue to pour my anger on this corrupt administration of GOODLUCK JONATHAN!

Sure, we go resist am!

If Jonathan succeeds, i won't visit nairaland again cos nairaland is my weapon to talk about the cluelessnesslessful of the administration.

Tolexander: Sure, we go resist am!

If Jonathan succeeds, i won't visit nairaland again cos nairaland is my weapon to talk about the cluelessnesslessful of the administration.

You are sure on your way out then. The thrash people post on NL is not enouh to unseat a local government councillor talkless of a President.

PS: I am sure there is no contract of such. Why does Lier Mohammed base his nonsense talk on hearsay?

ACN'i thaught u pple have changed 2 APC?y still answering ACN? A party of no direction and no magnitude is called - party?

this satelite story was discovered to be total false and rubbish when it came out last week.these acn guys seem to be running out of ideas

I av nev seen or heard wen other parties @ least say a gud fin Jonathan has done as a president. Those dat mean nofin good has cam out of him or ACN(APC) ære blind? Or in general politics is a dirty game blc i jst want 2 remov dat ideology.pls APC look,watch,search,find-out,IF u can c 1 fin. Lookin forward 4 my reply.tax.