PDP Rejects Section 31 of Kwara FOI Bill, Threatens legal action against Kwara Government
By Omowumi Omotosho
The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly rejected Section 31 of the proposed Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill currently under consideration at the Kwara State House of Assembly, describing it as a dangerous clause that undermines transparency, accountability, and democratic governance.
The party made its position known during a public hearing organized by the House on Monday, where it was represented alongside other civil society groups and professional bodies.
In a statement issued shortly after the hearing, the PDP’s State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, said the party’s position was “unequivocally clear.”
“The Kwara State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was ably represented at the Public Hearing on the controversial Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill held yesterday by the Kwara State House of Assembly. As the voice of the people, we made our position unequivocally clear: Section 31 of the bill is a direct assault on transparency, accountability, and the principles of democratic governance. It must be expunged in its entirety,” the statement read.
The controversial section, according to the PDP, would empower the Governor to act as the sole gatekeeper of public information, deciding who can access official records and when.
The PDP also expressed serious concern over what it described as its “deliberate exclusion” from the official list of invited stakeholders to the public hearing.
“We, however, take serious exception to the deliberate exclusion of the Kwara PDP, a recognized and democratic institution, from the official list of invited stakeholders for the hearing. This singular act exposes the intolerance of the current leadership and casts doubt on their commitment to inclusive governance,” the statement further read.
The party stated that it stood firm with other civic voices, including the Elites Network for Sustainable Development (ENetSuD), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and others, in opposing the bill’s contentious provisions.
“Despite this, the PDP, alongside prominent civic voices such as ENetSuD, the NBA, and others, stood firm in opposition to the obnoxious and dictatorial Section 31, which seeks to place the Governor as the sole gatekeeper of public information who chooses who and when to avail information about government transactions and operations.
“The natural minds of all Kwarans at the Public Hearing is that the FOI Bill must reflect the true spirit of the national Act and not serve as a tool for executive impunity.
“Regrettably, the body language of the House suggests a legislature that is more aligned with executive convenience than public interest. Nonetheless, we have played our part as the voice of the people, and history will bear witness to our stand on the side of truth and openness,” the party said.
In a scathing remark, the party sarcastically congratulated the Speaker and members of the Assembly on the commissioning of a new flagpole — which it described as the “only visible government project so far this year.”
“As a party, we began our submissions by congratulating the Speaker and members of the Assembly on the commissioning of the newly erected flagpole — the only visible government project so far this year. While Kwara may not have commissioned schools, hospitals, roads, or electrification projects that benefit the people, it is comforting to know that at least the flag now flies higher — Kwara people who are battling hunger and insecurity can now leans on the flag pole to get their belly filled up and defeat insecurity in the land,” the PDP said.
The party warned that it would not hesitate to explore all legally available options if the Assembly proceeds with the passage of the bill without addressing what it called “the grey areas highlighted by all people of conscience at the public hearing.”
“While we await further legislative actions from the Assembly in respect of this bill, we are ready to take further actions legally permissible should the Assembly proceed with the passage without addressing grey areas highlighted by all people of conscience at the public hearing,” the party warned.
The PDP therefore, extended appreciation to all its affiliate groups and supporters who participated in the hearing.
‘We thank and commend all the vibrant platforms and groups who joined their voices with ours at the public hearing, especially all PDP’s forums who were physically involved, including the PDP chairmanship and Councilorship Forum, the Team Kwara, PUG Group, PDP Revival Group, KCST Group, and many others not mentioned here. We also appreciate all stakeholders and leaders of the party, for their supports and encouragement,” the party concluded.
