…Rejects attempt to regulate social media***
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed concern over fresh plans by the Federal Government to secure an additional US$1.2 billion loan from the Brazilian Government.
The party, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja on Wednesday, said it was worrisome that government had such a plan in spite public outcry against the accumulation of loans from China and other foreign interests.
The Federal Government said it is seeking approval from the National Assembly for US$1.2 billion loan to address issues in the agriculture value chain.
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja when she appeared before the House of Representative Committee on Finance to defend the ministry’s budget.
Ologbondiyan said that the loan will further weaken the nation and will be to the detriment of the poor masses and generations yet unborn.
He slammed the idea of using agricultural programmes as a justification for further accumulation of foreign loans, without clear terms and conditions.
The party further warns that the loan request, if approved by the National Assembly, “will exacerbate our nation’s debt burden, mortgage our agricultural sector, weaken our investment capacity and worsen our food security challenge.
“Our party invites Nigerians to note that with the US$1.2 billion (N459 billion) Brazilian loan, in addition to the N5.20 trillion borrowing already proposed in the 2021 budget, our nation’s debt burden will hit N36.2 trillion.
“This will plunge our economy into a devastating pitfall,” he said.
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The PDP, therefore, urges the National Assembly to save the nation by being circumspect in handling the loan request in the national interest.
Ologbondiyan appealed to the Federal Government to rather look inwards and find ways to harness as well create wealth with the resources abounding in the country.
He said what Nigeria needed now is for government to be more innovative and resourceful in galvanizing a productive economy.
In the meantime, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected alleged moves to regulate social media in Nigeria.
The party in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja on Wednesday described it as unconstitutional, anti-people and attempt to silence Nigeria.
Ologbondiyan said that the attempt to censor the social media was targeted at muzzling outspoken Nigerians.
This according to him is particularly against youths, media and civil society organisations demanding for accountability and competence from government.
He said it would also silence citizens from exposing cases of corruption, injustice, human rights abuses and constitutional violations by government officials.
“Our party rejects the claims that the regulation bill is targeted at checking fake news.
“This is because our nation already has enough implementable laws to counter the dissemination of fake news and punish offenders.’’
Ologbondiyan said that instead of curtailing citizens’ constitutionally guaranteed rights, government should rather take steps to reassure Nigerians of efforts to address corruption, treasury looting, abuse of human rights, nepotism and unaccountability.
He advised the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government to become more accountable, particularly in exposing corrupt officials including those alleged to be involved in the diversion of funds voted for COVID-19 palliatives.
Ologbondiyan said while the PDP did not in any way condone the dissemination of fake news, it rejected the attempt to hide under fake news to use regulation of social media for selfish political reasons.
The Northern Governors Forum had on Monday expressed support for the ongoing efforts to regulate the social media in order to check the spread of fake news in the country.
The Forum expressed its support in a communique issued by its Chairman and Governor of Plateau, Mr Simon Lalong, after its meeting in Kaduna with traditional rulers and other key stakeholders in the region.
