By our reporters
Nigerians are angry about the abuse of the privileges given the Civil Society Organizations, otherwise known as CSOs, and are calling for a strong overhaul of that largely unregulated sector. Those interviewed want stringent penalties for violations and the urgent revival of libelous laws. “It has become a shame for a few individuals to just wake up and call for the sack of appointed government officials; this is so unbecoming of those involved”, charged one Clement Ebaku, a resident of the federal capital. Over the past few weeks, it has become a shock for different types of Civil Society Organizations exploiting social media freedom to cast aspersion on highly placed government officials—even going as far as calling for their sack and resignation.
But, hopefully, President Bola Tinubu would not be fooled into falling for their irresponsible actions. As president, he should have read between the lines to snift out the real motive of these desperate attackers. It is now common knowledge that these CSOs who also masquerade as “coalition” are the foot soldiers of phantom political office seekers who are out to create a make-believe situation of corruption. This practice has become so alarming that it is about time to begin to ask questions. The pattern is assuming a witch-hunting exercise not any more corruption crusaders.
The new dimension observed is the introduction of the typical P.H.D. syndrome, that is: Pull Him Down, at all cost! In some cases, the campaign has taken a tribal coloration with those behind unabashedly publishing slanderous and libelous items against victims. “What is particularly disturbing about the sordid affair is that their actions do not go beyond grandstanding and rabble-rousing”, disclosed Mr. Clement Ebaku. “I read with dismay how those hiding under civil society organizations struggle with words to deepen their sickening accusations just to raise the stakes for the inevitable financial demands”, wrapped Mr. Clement. He observed that hardly a day passes without these unregistered CSOs trying to outdo each other to score cheap points. ‘It is because our libelous laws are impotent and largely dead, that’s why any dick and Harry can wake up and rush to publish fallacies”, he explained.
In the same vein, another resident blamed the unregulated social media as responsible for the commotion. “If social media was strictly regulated and guarded just like it is in the law profession, it would be difficult for quacks to penetrate”, said Ismailia Abu. He decried the situation where social media is now a playing field for all manner of jobless Nigerians and those who are indolent without any focus. “This is the time for government to step out and do the right thing”, he stated adding that social media should be closely monitored to prevent its incessant abuse. “What we have right now is nothing short of wickedness”, he said. Nowhere has this disturbing trend been more noticed than in a particular sector where some hardened individuals hiding under the guise of pursuing a vain course have been rampant? “The biggest problem I have with these CSOs is that they know nothing of investigative journalism, just character assassination”, says Chief Lawrence Ojobo, a civil servant residing in Abuja.
He regrets their uncontrolled appetite for the destruction of highly earned reputations with inconsequential platforms that are not registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission. “There are laws to protect government officials, but unfortunately the Corporate Affairs Commission must sanction any CSO that is published without due registration”, he stated. According to him social media must be enforced and regulated like the case in Vehicle Registration which is open to seizure and arrest. It is unfortunate that unlike the popular HURIWA, SERAP, the Civil Society Organizations have been invaded by quacks and charlatans making the terrain unsafe for human habitation.
Nevertheless, For, people like Chief Lawrence, who is worried, the result is about making our laws effective. “We cannot function as if we are in the jungle”, he said, lamenting the fact that CSOs are making life difficult for government officials. “They have to do their job, but this has to be done without distractions”, he added, calling on law enforcement agents to beam their searchlight on these CSOs. But for others who care less, no one knows the end; Unless something gives, Nigeria may be heading for a banana republic or the Hobbesian state where anything goes.
