Press
Statement
The Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) condemns the ban of a
documentary film titled Fueling Poverty by the Nigeria Film and Video Censors
Board (NFVCB) at the behest of Goodluck Jonathan government. This reprehensible
action of the government is another example of its egregious descent into
inveterate civilian dictatorship.
Just recently, the State Security Service (SSS) arrested and
detained four journalists with Leadership newspaper for publishing a story the
government considered unpleasant while a lecturer was arrested at Ahmadu Bello
University for a comment made at a lecture.
The film board says the contents of the documentary produced
by Ishaya Bako "are highly provocative and likely to incite or encourage
public disorder and undermine national security." Clearly threatening the
filmmaker, the board told him that, "All relevant national security
agencies are on the alert. A copy of this letter has been sent to the Director
General, Department of State Services and the Inspector General of Police for
their information".
The banned film highlights the monumental fraud that is
associated with fuel subsidy and the failure of government to use the resources
of the government for the benefit of the majority.
The SPN holds that though the action of the Jonathan is
draconian and undemocratic, it is indeed a mere shadow kicking. The working
people of Nigeria do not need to watch the film to know about the monumental
corruption and failure of the governments at all levels, and thereby appreciate
the imperative of a fight back. Indeed, the probe organized by National
Assembly under the pressure of the January 2012 mass protest is reeking of more
shocking revelations than what obtain in the film.
The Nigerian working people staged the biggest mass protest
in January 2012 against the hike in fuel price under the guise of removal of
fuel subsidy which has proved to be huge racket involving top government
functionaries and private sector vampires.
The entrenched anti-poor policies and conducts of Jonathan
government have made it to live daily in mortal fear of mass resistance and
fight back by the working people. Hence, it is dreadfully apprehensive that a
film talking about poverty could "incite or encourage public
disorder".
The SPN calls on trade unions, socialists and human rights
organizations to condemn this crude attack on democratic rights and freedom of
expression, and organise mass activities against the growing spate of civilian
dictatorship and anti-poor policies of the government.
Signed
Segun Sango
Protem National Chairman
No comments:
Post a Comment