Samuel Ogidan, Abuja
Conference of Civil Societies (CCSs) have warned on the effect of fake news and blackmail on the nation’s development.
Addressing newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, the Chairperson of CCSs and Coordinator, Civil–Military Cooperation (CIMICO), Adams Otakwu noted with grave concern the resurgence of fake news and blackmail targeting some government and non-governmental officials.
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Analysing the situation, Otakwu said, “these fake news and blackmails range from allegations of massive corruption, money laundering, gross abuse of office, running of private companies, failure to declare assets contrary to Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), and alleged violation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) for Officers 2017.
“Earlier this year (precisely on January 31st), we held a crucial National Round Table with government ministries, departments and agencies, armed forces, security and intelligence agencies, civil societies, and the media at the National Human Rights Commission Abuja, during which we launched the National Fake Tracker to address this grave concern, and the success has had far reaching impact.
“However, there is a resurgence of the trend on targeted at Heads of MDAs of Government, Military Chiefs, Heads of Security, and Intelligence Agencies, and Renowned Private Citizens.
“The blackmailers often collude with internal elements who volunteer official secrets in a bid to unseat their principals.”
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He explained the extent those blackmailers have gone to carry out their act, adding, “the blackmailers then negotiate for lucrative contracts, job placements, or appointments. In their bid to further harass their victims, they petition them to the National Assembly.
“This heinous and dangerous trend poses a significant threat to national security and development.”
He drew the attention of the National Assembly to these developments, adding, “we urge the National Assembly to be aware of such misleading and malicious petitions and to act in the best interest of national security and development, as fake news and blackmails have no place in our constitution.
CCSs lambasted the irresponsible and dubious groups that acted in violation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
“We will activate actions for the intelligence community to immediately investigate these elements, their registration status, board of trustees, and activities.
“Furthermore, we shall not hesitate to name and shame those internal elements with whom they collude in various MDAs, Armed Forces, Security Agencies, and other institutions of Government.
“Civil Societies the world over represent how public life should function within and between societies through advocacies and not to be involved in fake news, blackmail, and other reckless activities that tarnish the image of genuine and progressive civil societies.”
CCSs disclosed that it will hold its 2nd National Round Table on Fake News and Blackmail of Government and Non-Governmental Office Holders in Abuja this month to rid the country of this menace and safeguard the national security and development.
