Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, has accused
President Goodluck Jonathan's administration of launching an unprecedented assault on the civil rights of Nigerian citizens, through the reported planned $40 million internet surveillance contract that will allow the government to invade the privacy of citizens, especially journalists and those considered to be opponents of the administration. National Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement, yesterday, posited that since the report of the contract, said to have been awarded to an Israeli firm, had not been denied several days after it was published, it was an indication that it was true.
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The party stated: "For a government that is increasingly paranoid, having failed to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry who are justifiably becoming restive by the day, the ability to spy on the internet communications of citizens as well as to intercept and read private emails, not to talk of being able to suppress unwanted connections, is a potent weapon against the civil rights of Nigerians as well as the constitutionally- guaranteed rights like freedom of expression, freedom of the press and freedom of association.
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"It is common knowledge that the Jonathan's administration has been getting a bad rap from Nigerians in the traditional media as well as the social media – a veritable platform for the citizens to vent their frustrations at a do-nothing government.
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"It is also common knowledge that journalists have borne the brunt of the administration's increasing propensity to stifle freedom of expression and press freedom, while members of the opposition are being portrayed more and more as enemies of the administration, rather than being seen as indispensable allies in the nation's quest to evolve a strong and enduring democracy.
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"These may have been the motivation for the administration to acquire the internet surveillance capability".
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"However, no government in the history of our country, whether elected or otherwise, has taken this kind of brazen measure for whatever reason, hence it must raise serious concerns among the citizenry, their political representatives as well as civil liberties organisations,'' the ACN said.
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The party accused the government of attempt to deceive Nigerians by saying the technology is to enable it to keep a tab on the insurgents who are rampaging in a section of the country, stressing that such justification violates the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. "In any case, who will police the use of the technology to ensure that it is not abused? The party queried.
Of course the accusation was bound to come because they've never had a good relationship. Okay let's see what will happen from here