Amid attacks on press freedom and activism, Tinubu vows to promote rule of law

President Bola Tinubu pledged on Sunday to promote the rule of law, uphold the principles of separation of powers and tolerate dissenting views within the framework of Nigerian law.

The president made this promise before the largest gathering of Nigerian lawyers, even as his government faces increasing criticism for its growing intolerance of the free press and dissenting opinions.

The vow was taken in Lagos, the same city where the State Security Service (SSS) arrested and the arrested Nigerian journalist Adejuwon Soyinka for six hours.

Mr Soyinka, the West African regional editor of Conversation Africa and pioneering editor of the BBC Pidgin Service, was arrested at around 5.40am, shortly after arriving at Muhammed Muritala International Airport from the United Kingdom.

The SSS, notorious for its Gestapo-like methods of arresting and illegally detaining suspected government opponents, has not yet disclosed the full details of Mr Soyinka’s arrest and detention, saying only that it was acting on the request of a unnamed government agency.

Mr Tinubu did not address the arbitrary arrest of Mr Soyinka, nor the growing trend of such harassment of journalists since he became President.

Nevertheless, Mr Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made a pledge to uphold the rule of law on Sunday when he declared open the annual general conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos.

He said his government had made steady progress in rebuilding the country through legal and judicial reforms since taking office.

Mr. Tinubu commended the association’s outstanding history in defending democratic ideals and promoting the rule of law.

“I can assure you all that this government will continue to promote the rule of law, respect for the principles of separation of powers and tolerance of dissent within the framework of the law,” he said.

The arrest and detention of Mr Soyinka by the SSS on Sunday is indicative of the way security forces have harassed journalists on flimsy grounds since Mr Tinubu assumed the presidency in May last year.

In June, the police summoned PREMIUM TIMES journalist Emmanuel Agbo. about a report yet to be published on which he worked.

Earlier this month, officers of the Nigerian Police and the SSS shot on separate occasions live ammunition and tear gas on journalists and peaceful protesters in a brutal attempt to disperse the recent anti-government #EndBadGovernance protests in Abuja.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that at least 56 journalists were attacked or harassed by security forces or unidentified citizens while covering the recent anti-government demonstrations under the slogan #EndBadGovernance.

The IPI Nigeria sentenced The arrest of Mr Soyinka on Sunday. The organisation said the development fits the pattern of a systematic crackdown on journalists across the country since President Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023.

“While no reason was given for his arrest and subsequent detention, we view the actions of the SSS as part of a conspiracy by the government of President Bola Tinubu to intimidate and harass journalists,” it said in a statement.

Appeal to lawyers

Mr Tinubu implored Nigerian lawyers and other citizens to work with his government towards the realisation of the Nigeria everyone dreams of.

He said the country must achieve sustainable development and assured that the policies and actions of his government would bring relief to Nigerians even as it took difficult decisions to change past ways of doing things.

He thanked the Supreme Court for always upholding good governance and the principles of democracy in the country.

He referred to the recent ruling of the country's highest court, which granted financial autonomy to local government councils.

The ruling, he noted, “will trigger much-desired developments at the grassroots level.”

He expressed confidence that the third branch of government would act through stronger strategic and reform-oriented legal interventions.

Mr Tinubu reiterated his government’s commitment to continue to give the highest priority to the welfare of the judiciary.

“I would like to assure learned Members of the Court and the Bar that this Government will continue to give the highest priority to the welfare of the judiciary in order to reduce the avoidable burden on Their Lordships.

“And we will speed up the judicial processes, which are an indispensable prerequisite for social order and economic development.”

“I therefore fervently expect the NBA to provide all people, government and businesses with the appropriate legal compass for the rebuilding of our beloved nation,” the president said.

Mr. Tinubu welcomed the NBA’s choice of the theme “Pressing Forward: A National Stance to Rebuild Nigeria” for this year’s national conference.

Okonjo-Iweala, others speak

Earlier, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, stated that efforts must be made to accelerate the country's growth and development as it has all the prerequisites for success.

In her keynote speech entitled “A Social Contract for Nigeria’s Future,” she lamented that Nigeria had not made the progress it should have made in its more than 60 years of existence.

“Nigeria needs profound macroeconomic reforms. Oil has dominated Nigerian exports so far, but we need to expand our exports to include agricultural products and solid minerals.

“We need a new social contract to achieve growth in our country.

“My belief in the need for a social contract is based on the need to tolerate different political parties and previous governments that preceded each other,” she explained.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State also stressed that the social contract includes security of life and property.

Mr Sanwo-Olu urged the judiciary to strengthen the electoral process in the country and assured that Lagos as a state was ready to embrace the social contract.

In his welcoming speech, Yakubu Maikyau, President of the NBA, assured that the Bar Association would continue to work for justice in the country.

According to him, the respect the bar enjoys is a symbol of freedom in the country.

“The legal profession represents, above all, the need to ensure justice for the people. Our existence as a people is closely linked to our responsibility as defenders of the people,” he said.

He called on lawyers to resolutely discharge their duties and avoid corruption at all levels.

A book titled “History of the Nigerian Bar Association” by Nigerian lawyer Olanrewaju Akinsola was also launched at the conference. (NAN)