Vox Populi

24/12/2019

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

"Let Love Lead"

Former Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly and PDP's leading candidate ahead of the forthcoming January 25th, 2020 Abi/Yakurr federal constituency rerun election, Rt Hon. John Gaul Lebo urges Christians in the state, particularly Abi/Yakurr constituents to exemplify love at Christmas even as they strive to live peaceably with one another this Yuletide and beyond.

He maintains that the season is a period for sober reflection hence the need for all Christians to purge themselves of every element of bitterness while celebrating Christ who is the reason for the season.

The former Speaker who describes Christ as an epitome of love and peace, charges all to emulate His footsteps in all they do.

"Jesus is the reason for the season, so let the love of Christ lead us in all of our dealings with one another. We ought to love our neighbors as ourself, as Christ commands of us"

Hon Lebo wishes every citizen of the state and indeed members of Abi/Yakurr federal constituency a blissful and memorable yuletide.

Merry Christmas & a Prosperous New year!

Signed:
Azogor Ideba
Director of Media & Publicity, Rt. Hon John Gaul Lebo Campaign Organization
(Team New Direction)
24/12/2019

24/12/2019

ATTENTION ABI/YAKURR PDP STAKEHOLDERS

Once again, our attention has been drawn to some What'sapp and Text messages in circulation, about some clandestine meeting facilitated by anti-PDP forces masquerading as concerned mediators ahead of the Ekereku rerun election.

With yet another desperate move, it is really unfortunate that these 'meddlesome interlopers', seemingly are pushing their luck too far in an election that will be umpired by INEC and decided by the voters.

The question is: where were these characters before and after the main election which held February 23, 2019; where were they before and during the Election Petitions Tribunal and Appeal Court trials; why the sudden and persistent interest?

Whereas Rt. Hon John Gaul Lebo who is the leading candidate and a major contender in the election has not (never) been approached by anyone to discuss any peace overtures ahead of the rerun, so we ask again: in whose interest is the purported (nocturnal) meeting called?

At this juncture, we wish to state categorically that neither John Gaul Lebo nor his Campaign Organization has authorised such meeting. We are in fact, not a party to such sinister meeting being stage-managed against the interest of the PDP and Rt. Hon John Gaul Lebo by enemies masquerading as concerned citizens.

Once again, we call on our Abi/Yakurr party stakeholders and supporters to discountenance and dishonour the said meeting as it is a smokescreen.

The 'meddlesome Interlopers', if so concerned about peace, should rather dissipate their energies in calling to order, the opposition candidate and his supporters who are daily threatening the lives of PDP members in Ekereku should they work for the interest of their party in the rerun election. This should be the focus of their concerns if their motive is altruistic.

May we use this medium to warn these bought 'political pipers' to stop the bareface hipocrisy or be ready to face the wrath of the PDP and the John Gaul Lebo Campaign Organization.

Signed:

Azogor Ideba
Director of Media & Publicity, Rt. Hon John Gaul Lebo Campaign Organization ( Team New Direction)
23/12/2019.

22/12/2019

04/02/2019

PRESS RELEASE

*BUDGET PRESENTATION*

This is to inform the general public that His Excellency, the governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade will be presenting the *2019 State Budget Estimate* to the Cross River State House of Assembly on *Wednesday, February 6, 2019 by 10am.*

Accordingly, members of the State Executive Council, other government functionaries and visitors are expected to be seated at the chamber latest by 9am.

Signed:
Azogor Ideba
Chief Press Secretary
Office of the Speaker
04/02/2019

02/08/2018

2nd July, 2018

Press Release

The PDP Speakers' Forum heartily welcomes Speakers and members of Benue, Sokoto and Kwara State Houses of Assembly who recently defected back to the PDP family.

" Your decisions to defect purely demonstrate that you are committed to salvaging an acutely ailing nation under the dehumanizing an draconian grip of the APC.

"There is no sacrifice greater than this. You have proven yourselves to be men of valour, worthy patriots and heroes of the time."

The PDP Speakers' Forum is willing and positioned to work with everyone to ensure that the country returns to the glorious path of democracy where Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law are the orders of the day; where the rights, privileges, security and the welfare of the people are guaranteed priorities.

Signed:
Rt. Hon (Barr) John Gaul Lebo
Chairman PDP Speakers' Forum & Speaker Cross River State House of Assembly

25/07/2018

25th July, 2018

PRESS RELEASE

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Speakers' Forum vehemently condemns the Tuesday July 24, 2018 yet another attempt to undermine Nigeria's hard earned Democracy in the face of flagrant abuses of the rule of law and the near total disregard for the Legislature - the popular symbol of Democracy.

The barricading yesterday of the Senate President's convoy and the subjection to house arrest of his Deputy by Nigeria Security Agents and other collaborators were shameless and malicious attempts to subdue the Legislature and compromise her independence.

It has become apparent that our security agencies have now become willing tools in the hands of the ruling party to achieve selfish political gains via intimidation, coercion and trumped up charges against dissenters; consequently, our democracy has come under severe attacks.

After 19 years of the current democratic order, it is obvious that the first 16 years under the PDP government offered Nigerians the political environment to develop democratic values and culture. Regrettably, the last 3 years have seen a desperate imposition of "Rule by Law" in place of "Rule of Law".

Albeit, the PDP has through the coalition tried to provide the holding environment desperately needed to nurture and regain the
democratic mainstay required to restore the Rule of Law and usher Nigeria into a liberal Democracy.

We wish to congratulate the Senate President Dr Olubukola Saraki and his Deputy Prof Ike Ekweremadu for choosing the path of honour, for their resolute spirits, unalloyed loyalty to the people and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and for the rare courage to defend the country's democracy even in the face pervasive opposition.

To all who have defected back to the PDP and many others on the way, we say welcome to the party with a democratic conscience and a predestined blueprint for a better Nigeria.

Finally, we wish to call on proponents and lovers of democracy across the world to rise and not sit back and watch democracy being r***d in Nigeria by anti democratic forces who have found themselves in power.

After all, in the end, evil we know will never prevail against good. Democracy must stand in Nigeria; Viva!

Signed:
Rt Hon (Barr) John Gaul Lebo
Chairman, PDP Speakers' Forum & Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly

16/07/2018

16th July, 2018

Press Release

BURIAL OBSEQUIES FOR LATE HON STEPHEN A. UKPUKPEN

The burial obsequies for late member representing Obudu state constituency in the Cross River House of Assembly Rt. Hon Stephen Akomaye Ukpukpen are as follow:

1. Sing Song Night
Date: Thursday 19th July, 2018
Venue: Cross River State House of Assembly Quarters, Ekorinim Calabar
Time: 6pm

2. Valedictory Session
Date: Friday 20th July, 2018
Venue: Cross River State House of Assembly Complex, Calabar
Time: 9am

2b. A brief Stop over at deceased residence at block 8, plot 12, Dame Vienna Olurun Nimbe Street off Emmanuel Edem Street Federal Housing Estate, Calabar
Time: 11am

2c. Vigil Mass
Venue: Our Lady Queen of Apostle Church, Market Road, Obudu
Time: 5pm

3. Funeral Mass
Date: Saturday 21st July, 2018
Venue: Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church, Market Road Obudu
Time: 9am

3b. Interment follows after funeral mass at No 8 Cameroun Street, off Anderson Street, Obudu

4. Thanksgiving Mass
Date: Sunday 22nd July, 2018
Venue: Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church, Market Road, Obudu
Time: 9am

"Hon Ukpukpen Presumed absent until valedictory"

Relatedly, the late Hon Stephen Akomaye Ukpukpen according to the Cross River State Assembly House Rules & Proceedings, is presumed absent until after a Valedictory session.

Again, under Section 161 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and also as contained in the Electoral Act, the Obudu state constituency seat which the deceased occupied would be declared vacant only after a Valedictory. Aside this, there is no other requirement.

However, the valedictory session for the late member will hold on Friday July 20 at the Assembly Complex by 9am.

It only after this event that the Rt. Hon Stephen Akomaye Ukpukpen would be officially declared dead and the Obudu state Constituency seat declared vacant by the Speaker.

This will be followed by a formal communication, in cognizance of the votes & proceedings of the valedictory, notifying INEC officially about the death of the member and the vacant seat in the Assembly.

Signed
Azogor Ideba
Chief Press Secretary
For: Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly

13/07/2018

12th July 2018

Press Release

The People's Democratic Party Speakers Forum condemns in strong terms the July 11 attack on the executive governor of Ekiti state and Chairman of the PDP Governors' Forum, His Excellency Ayodele Peter Fayose by the members of the Nigeria Police.

This ugly incident is no less a brazen r**e our fledging democracy and a negation of democratic values and constitutionalism

Whereas the Constitution guarantees freedom of association and not withstanding the fact that the period stipulated by Independent Electoral Commission for campaign in Ekiti had not elapsed, one wonders why the Federal Government should met out such brutal treatment on a governor of a state in total disregard of Constitutional immunity of the Governor.

The attack on Fayose and the siege on the Ekiti government house is a gross desecration of the sanctity of the Ekiti government and the legitimate authority of the people.

We wish to draw the attention of the international community to the brutish action of the federal government of Nigeria and the seeming threat to Nigeria's Democracy while urging them to take necessary step to stem the tide of tyranny and tyrants rearing their ugly heads in our polity.

Obviously, the indices of the health of democracy in Nigeria shows alarming deterioration as the government gradually chisels away freedom of Association even to political parties thereby ushering the Nation into the stage of "Illiberal democracy " where individual rights and the rule of law are undermined and mentioned only in the footnotes of history.

As it stands Nigeria is sitting on a time bomb which if unchecked would be triggered by the recklessness and callous desperation of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Signed
Rt. Hon John Gaul Lebo
Speaker Cross River State House of Assembly & Chairman PDP Speakers Forum

13/07/2018

12th July 2018

Press Release

The People's Democratic Party Speakers Forum condemns in strong terms the July 11 attack on the executive governor of Ekiti state His Excellency Ayodele Peter Fayose by the members of the Nigeria Police.

This ugly incident is no less a brazen r**e our fledging democracy. It negates all forms constitutionality.

Whereas the Constitution guarantees freedom of association and not withstanding the fact that the period stipulated by Independent Electoral Commission for campaign in Ekiti had not elapsed, it calls for wonder why the Federal Government should met out such brutal treatment on a governor of a state in total disregard of Constitutional immunity of the Governor.

The attack on Fayose and the siege of the Ekiti government house is a gross desecration of the sanctity of the Ekiti government and the legitimate authority of the people.

We wish to draw the attention of the international community to the brutish action of the federal government of Nigeria and the seeming threat to Nigeria's Democracy while urging them to take necessary step to stem the tide of tyranny which is gradually eroding our polity.

Obviously, the indices of in Nigeria shows alarming deterioration as the government gradually chisels away freedom of Association even to political parties thereby ushering the Nation into the stage of "Illiberal democracy " where individual rights and the rule of law are undermined and mentioned only in the footnotes of history.

As it stands Nigeria is sitting on a time bomb which if unchecked would be triggered by the recklessness and callous desperation of the ruling All Progressive Congress.

Signed
Rt. Hon John Gaul Lebo
Speaker Cross River State House of Assembly & Chairman PDP Speakers Forum

31/05/2018

PRESS RELEASE

The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly Rt Hon John Gaul Lebo has expressed shock over the sudden demise of his colleague and friend, Rt Hon Stephen Akomaye Ukpukpen who died Wednesday May 30, 2018.
He described Hon Ukpukpen passage as very saddening, heart wrenching and a great loss not only to the Assembly community but to the entire state.
"As Member Representing Obudu State Constituency not only was he a good representative of his people, he was a very outspoken legislator who always stood for the truth.
His vibrancy and legislative know-how which traversed the 7th apparently earned him a second term in the Assembly and subsequently, Chairman House Committee on Public Accounts.
We have lost a gem in the 8th Assembly. His wisdom and legislative acumen will forever be missed.
Stephen indeed, has left a vacuum in the 8th Assembly".

Signed:
Azogor Ideba
Chief Press Secretary
For: Hon Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly.

29/05/2018

DEMOCRACY DAY FELICITATION

On behalf of the leadership, members and staff of the Cross River State House Assembly, I wish to delightfully felicitate his Excellency the governor of Cross River Sen (Prof) Ben Ayade and his Deputy, His Excellency Prof Ivara on this very auspicious occasion of the country's 19th Democracy day anniversary.

As we mark 19 years since the military handed over power to a democratically elected civilian government in Nigeria, it is with a deep sense of responsibility that I dare to say that despite the many challenges faced by the country, we have kept faith with democracy this 19 stable and impactful years.

The commemoration of this year’s Democracy Day is a celebration of freedom, a salute to the resilience and determination of Nigerians and a progressive commitment by Government to keep its promise to lead Nigeria into a new era of justice and prosperity.

We are particularly delighted that Governor Ben Ayade has kept faith with the people and Cross River State is better for it. The dividends of Democracy speak volumes in Cross River, therefore we have many reasons to celebrate today.

Long Live Cross River State!
Long Live The Federal Republic of Nigeria!!

Signed:
Azogor Ideba
Chief Press Secretary
For: Hon Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly

09/12/2017

December 8th, 2017

Press statement

The PDP controlled State Houses of Assembly Speakers have endorsed the candidature of Prince Uche Secondus as the National Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party in the December 9 national convention of the party.

Rising from an emergency meeting in Abuja, Friday, 8th, December, 2017, the PDP Speakers unanimously decided to throw their weights behind Uche Secondus aspiration.

The PDP Speakers Forum noted that the future of Nigeria was not only dependent on good leadership but more on good governance and good governance can only emerge from the foundation of a strong political institution managed by good leadership which will in turn translate into good governance with manifest dividends to the citizens.

PDP in the last two years has been dedicated to rebuilding its political institution through the determined efforts of Party faithful across the country (leaders, elders, youths and women alike) and these efforts have led to three previous non elective conventions and elective convention slated for December 9, 2017.

It is obvious that certain individuals have committed the past and the future of their careers to providing sustainable leadership with a clear capacity to provide good governance.

In our opinion and conviction, Prince Uche Secondus, an erstwhile National Organizing Secretary and Acting National Chairman of the PDP who had sacrificed by agreeing to dissolve his own led National Working Committee at the Port Harcourt convention, for the future of the party, deserves the outright support of the PDP Speakers’ Forum.

It is very obvious at this stage that PDP has no space to gamble but to fall back to its leadership archives to produce one of its best leadership assets in the past decade as National Chairman.

Although other candidates for the position are eminently qualified but Secondus, the Forum believes, is more strategic and better equipped to lead the party moving forward.

This is our conviction. This is our stand!

Signed:
Rt. Hon (Barr) John Gaul Lebo
Chairman PDP House of Assembly Speakers’ Forum
Hon Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly

05/12/2017

LIST OF ITEMS PROPOSED FOR AMENDMENT UNDER THE CURRENT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROCESS AS TRASMMITTED TO STATE HOUSES OF ASSEMBLY

1. Fourth Alteration No 2 - To reduce the period of extra budgetary expenditure and spending from 6 months to 3 months from the budget of the previous year.

2. Fourth Alteration No 4 - Financial Autonomy for state Legislatures -house of ASSEMBLY autonomy.

3. Fourth Alteration No 5 - Abrogation of State joint Local government JAAC Accounts.

4. Fourth Alteration No 6 - Autonomy of local government.

5. Fourth Alteration No 8 - Legislative immunity for things said on the floor during plenary.

6. Fourth Alteration No 9 - Powers of INEC and conduct of bye elections.

7. Fourth Alteration No 14 - Independent candidates.
8. Fourth Alteration No 15 - Change of Name of Nigerian police -without the word Force.

9. Fourth Alteration No 16 - Single tenure for a person who concludes another person’s tenure in office as president; President Jonathan’s syndrome.

10. Fourth Alteration No 20 - Critical amendment to facilitate fast dispensation of cases at the Supreme Court of Nigeria and other courts; election petition, front loading of briefs on jurisdiction etc.

11. Fourth Alteration No 21 - Preview election matters,
dispensation etc.

12. Fourth Alterations No 22 - Establishment of the National security and civil defence Corp.

13. Fourth Alteration No 24 - President's assent to bills and Constitutional amendment.

14. Fourth Alteration No 27 - Not too young to run.

15. Fourth Alteration No 28 - Limitation of time to present budget of the federation and states. .

These are the first set of bills so far transmitted by the National Assembly to the State Houses of Assembly for consequential 2/3 resolutions.

Subsequently, the Cross River State House of Assembly will soon commence public hearing and debates on each of the bills.

Various stakeholders, Civil Society Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations particularly, will be formally invited, while the sessions would be open to all citizens of the state.

The venue and time will be communicated to the general public.

Send a message to learn more.

17/10/2017

CRSHA confirm Justice Edem

The Cross River State House of Assembly today at plenary confirmed Justice Michael Edem as the substantive Chief Judge of Cross River State.

Justice Edem’s confirmation was sequel to a letter to the Assembly by His Excellency Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade requesting the confirmation of Justice Edem who had been on acting capacity for months.

Speaking, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of
Assembly Rt. Hon John Gaul Lebo urged new the Chief Judge to be steadfast in the discharge of his duties, adding that a herculean tasks await him in his new role.

He expressed optimism in depth of intellect of the chief judge and his capacity to eminently pilot the affairs of the Judiciary arm of the state while reiterating the support of the Assembly to enable him a successful stint.

‘’ I am very confident that justice Edem would significantly up the ante in the dispensation of justice in the state”, the Speaker remarked.

14/10/2017

Cross River Assembly Speaker heads PDP Speakers forum

The speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly Rt. Hon John Gaul Lebo has emerged the Caretaker Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party controlled States Houses of Assembly Speakers Forum.

The Forum in its maiden meeting which held in Gombe weekend unanimously elected Rt. Hon John Gaul Lebo its interim leader.

Also elected is the Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly Rt. Hon kola Oluwawole who is to serve as Vice Chairman of the Forum as well as the Speaker of Taraba State House of Assembly Rt. Hon Peter Abel Diah who will serve as secretary.

The Forum, in the maiden meeting deliberated on the current constitutional amendment process and the forthcoming PDP National Convention slated for 9th December 2017 among others.

The PDP Speakers forum called on the National Assembly to revisit the devolution of power clause in the current constitutional amendment process.

It believes that without devolution of powers, the on-going constitutional amendment process would be incomplete and the country would have missed a great opportunity to establish true federalism.

09/10/2017

Cross River State House of Assembly to ban 55 state government agencies from taxing the public.

The affected agencies would subsequently operate as service agencies and not revenue generating agencies.

This downgrading comes as a reaction to public outcry over multiple and over bearing taxation by these agencies of government.

18/09/2017

Christian youths told to engage in politics

Christian youths irrespective of denomination have been told to embrace politics as the system was in dire need of pious practitioners.

Cross River State House of Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon John Gaul Lebo gave the indication recently when the Executive members of the Dunamis Youth Ministry Calabar visited his office.

He maintained that politics was no longer a secular business as generally perceived, adding that God was keenly interested in leadership.

The Speaker said that beyond prayers, Christian youths must practically get involved and play active roles in determining who assumes political positions in the country if they must see the change they desire.

“The people rejoice when the righteous are in authority; and nothing stops you from joining a political party or even vying for a political office in Nigeria. It is time to volunteer your selves and make your voices count in politics of the country. What politics require is excellent and incorruptible leadership committed to selflessly serving the people and humanity in general”, he submitted

Hon Lebo remarked that good leadership was not only a rare factor in the country but also a bane to good governance and the development of the nation.

Speaking, the leader of the Dunamis Youth Ministry, Brother Nsikak Effiong said that the purpose of the visit was to intimidate the Speaker of its forth coming event targeted at rallying Christian youths for politics.

The event, according to the Nsikak Effiong which is scheduled to hold 3rd October will have the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly Rt. Hon John Gaul Lebo speak on the topic: ‘Christian Youths in Politics’.

He further solicited the support and cooperation of the Speaker towards the event.

14/09/2017

Speaker hints on border security agency bill

In a bid to effectively check incessant breakdown of law and order and recurring security challenges in border communities, the Cross River state House of Assembly would soon introduce the ‘Cross River State Border Security & Protection Bill’.

The Cross River State Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon John Gaul Lebo who gave the hint recently when he received a delegation of the Cross River state chapter of Police Community Relations Committee in his office in calabar, stated that the bill has become very expedient to help check security breaches in border communities and to protect dwellers in these communities.

He said the bill if passed into law would establish the Border Security & Protection Agency that would ensure the operative implementation of the law and other matters relating to border security and protection.

The speaker who observed that security was a top priority in the Ayade administration said that both homeland security and the yet to be established Border Security outfits in collaboration with other security agencies would help to significantly curtail insecurity and also enhance community policing in the state.

“We understand the importance of security in our individual and economic wellbeing. That was why we enacted the Homeland security bill and still in pursuit of security in the state, we will soon have a law that will establish border security agency to help address insecurity in our border communities”, he said.

Earlier, the leaders of the delegation of the PCRC Cross River State chapter Elder Ernest Attah said the committee decided to visit the Speaker in view of its on going security and awareness campaign in the state.

He solicited the cooperation of the Assembly towards the programmes and activities of the committee in the state.

23/08/2017

Attention Joseph Odok!
RE: How the Speaker Cross River State is Killing CRS: It is not just Ayade's Fault

A publication on the above subject matter by Joseph Odok on The Daily News (online) Publication of 21st August, 2017 and other online news media refers.

‘Joseph Odok, get your facts, take the pain to verify, rely less on gossips and rumours, divorce hate and malice from your criticisms; be truthful, mature and civilized in your write-ups because not many out there are as ignorant; and gullible’.
The major problem of the Cross River State is not John Gaul neither is it the Cross River State House of Assembly.

The Assembly living up to its mandate has been able to create the enabling legislative and legal environment needed to take the state to the next level. It is on record that the Cross River State House of Assembly is one of the best in the country and it’s Speaker, Rt. Hon John Lebo, unarguably one of the best in the country with several laurels to show. For Joseph Odok to impugn and aver that the ‘Cross River State House of Assembly is a redundant house. It boasts of laws that are not visible…and Speaker John Gaul Lebo is inept’ is to me a brazen display of ignorance with a dint of mischief. It is very ludicrous for an Assembly with a record of over 40 bill, numerous novel initiatives and very compelling motions to be described in such despicable terms.

‘Joseph Odok, Mr Speaker is not scared of impeachment because he has not/never committed any offence to warrant such. His legislative craftsmanship speaks volumes. So he has nothing to fear. The Speaker is enjoying the best of relationship with members and the Deputy Speaker particularly. So he does not feel threatened in any way or form’.
Joseph Odok, neither the Assembly nor the Speaker inherited any functional website from previous Assembly; please furnish us with the address of the claimed website if you have it; and what would it benefit the Speaker to pull down an existing website of the Assembly? The present Cross River State House of Assembly is the most accessible in history. So there is absolutely nothing to hide neither is there any fraud to perpetrate in the Assembly.

And finally, for the umpteenth time, the Cross River State House of Assembly will be the last to engage the Executive in public brawl as this is uncouth. There are many civilized channels to take on the Executive or call it to order on any contentious issue; and the Assembly has never failed and will not fail to engage the executive where and when necessary.

The Cross River State House Assembly is responsibly representing the yearnings and aspirations of the people through its laws, motions and other legislative functions and initiatives. No amount of blackmail or mudslinging will cause it to derail.

Signed:
Azogor Ideba
Chief Press Secretary to Hon Speaker
Cross River State House of Assembly

23/08/2017

RE: APPLICABILITY OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT: MY ANSWER TO THE SPEAKER OF THE CROSS RIVER HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY BY FIRST BABA ISA.

First Baba Isa, while commending you for shedding more light on the Freedom of Information Act, I wish to state that your submission does not substantially differ from the Speaker’s position. The slight difference is in your dexterous deployment of verbose vocabulary.

“…Be that as it may, Section 28 of the FOIA deals squarely with this. It says: “(1) The fact that any information in the custody of a public institution is kept by that institution under security classification or is classified document within the meaning of the Official Secrets Act does not preclude it from being disclosed pursuant to an application for disclosure thereof under the provisions of this Act, but in every case the public institution to which the application is made shall decide whether such information is of a type referred to in Sections 11,12,14,15,16,17,19,20 or 21 of this Act. (2) If the public institution to which the application in subsection (1) is made decides that such information is not a type mentioned in the sections referred to in subsection (1), access to such information shall be given to the applicant. (3) If the public institution, to which the application mentioned in subsection (1) is made, decides that such information is of a type mentioned in sections referred to in subsection (1), it shall give notice to the applicant.

“The worst case scenario deducible from section 28 of the FOIA, supra, is that a public institution can write back to an applicant explaining why the said information cannot be released, then the matter will become a question for the courts to decide”.

The above statements were culled from your response and it shows clearly that the FOIA does not expressly guarantee freedom of information especially the fact that the Act recognizes the Official Secret Act and still gives it room to thrive via sections 11, 12, 14, 15,17,19,20 and 21 of the FOIA.

With these sections highlighted above, can one say that there is unrestricted access to information?

Does the fact that the FOIA acknowledges that the OSA under specific circumstances should deny an individual certain information if found contrary to sections 11,12,14,15,17,19,20 or 21 not a denial of freedom to know? Does this not obstruct the freedom of information as it were?

To the extent that an applicant will have to go to court in order to enforce release of public information or access information is itself a ‘clog in the wheels’ and thus a kerb on the FOIA. The court should not be approached to enforce access to information but to try defaulting institutions if the Official Secret Act was repealed.

Succinctly, there is freedom of information Act in theory but what we have in practice is ‘freedom of some information Act’ and the subsisting Official Secret Act explains why?

This is the base of the Speaker’s postulation and what he tried to infer with the statements credited to him on the FOIA at the last Agba Jalingo's Quarterly Town Hall Meeting which held on the 14th of August, 2017 in Calabar.

Azogor Ideba
CPS to Hon Speaker, CRSHA