Citizens Have The Right To Criticize Government Actions, Says CACOL

Citizens Have The Right To Criticize Government Actions, Says CACOL

The Executive Director of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership and a rights activist, Debo Adeniran, has said citizens have the right to criticise the government and express dissatisfaction towards them if needed.

This call came amidst increasing public frustration and scrutiny of governmental policies and actions.

On Saturday, former presidential candidate for the African Action Congres, Mr Omoyele Sowore, via his X handle wrote, “I woke up to the heart-wrenching report of the abduction and secret detention of whistleblower and undercover journalist #PIDOMNIGERIA by forces related to the #officialABAT; going by the modus operandi of the regime, #PIDOMNIGERIA could be harmed if everything is not done to secure his release immediately.”

Speaking to Ireporteronline, Adeniran said citizens have the right to complain and nobody has the right to stop them from ensuring their rights.

Adeniran argued that such expressions of dissatisfaction were crucial for holding the government accountable and for promoting transparency and fairness.

He said, “Only slaves do not complain about how they are being treated. These citizens are not comfortable with the way the government is treating them. They have the right to complain, and nobody has the right to stop them from ensuring their rights.

“So, we have to clarify from the security agencies if any rights have been violated. Otherwise, they don’t have a right. It is not their duty to hold people to express their opinions on the way they are being governed.