By Ahmed Suleiman
The Kwara State Chapter of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has expressed dissatisfaction towards the motion passed by the Kwara State House of Assembly urging the Nigeria Broadcast Commission (NBC) to restrict political parties broadcast to only their agenda and manifestoes.
This was contained in a press release issued on Tuesday and jointly signed its chairman, Comrade AbdulMumini Onagun, Secretary, Elder Samuel Abolude and Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Abdullahi Bada made available to Pilot Politics.
The statement noted that in a democratic setting, opinions and ideas must be allowed to prevail and all political parties that are not in government are seen as potential contenders.
It reads that oppositions must be interested in the running of affairs of the state in order to put the government on its toes rather than showing intolerance to criticism.
“Kwara Chapter of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) the umbrella for all the registered Political Parties in Nigeria views with grave concern the motion recently passed by the Kwara State Assembly urging the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to limit political parties broadcasts to only their agenda/manifestoes.
“This looks very absurd in a democracy where opinions and ideas must be allowed to contend. It should be categorically and unambiguously stated that all political parties that are in government at any point in time should see themselves as government in waiting.
โIPAC want to state in clear terms that the 1999 constitution of Nigeria guarantees freedom of expression and the federal law gives such constitutional provision potency in the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
โAll the radio programmes by political parties, associations and well-meaning individuals have opened the eyes and hearts of the people of the state who have seen how government is executing the contract awarded which they found below expectationโ, part of the statement reads.
IPAC said the motion would not have been passed if the assembly was a multiparty composition, adding that Kwara cannot remain the same.
The body further urged Kwarans and government that genuine, and constructive criticism should be taken in good faith rather than ignoring such clarion call which is an antidote for government to be responsive to the yearnings of its citizens for the people to enjoy the dividend of democracy.
