By Akinwale Kasali
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has warned those he said were fanning embers of hatred and inciting the citizens against the Federal Government.
Fagbemi said that the federal government would not succumb to blackmail by those he described as political desperados.
According to the AGF, “Those fanning the embers of hatred must be stopped,” adding that “those who have lost their sense of patriotism should know that they would not be allowed to set the country on fire.”
He made this statement at the conference of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents, NAJUC, in Abuja, the nation’s Capital.
He said: “The political desperadoes must learn to act responsibly and within the laws of the land.
“Let me state with respect that relevant government agencies will not be stopped from doing their work if anyone runs foul of the law.
“The government will not succumb to blackmail no matter whose ox is gored. Violence, hate speech or any other criminal tendencies will not be tolerated in any form.
“As citizens of Nigeria, let us show our sense of patriotism and protect the unity of the country”, he said.
This comes in the face of widespread misgivings among opposition political parties, who have all alleged a deliberate witch-hunt of their members by various anti-corruption agencies.
He, however, acknowledged that activities towards the 2027 general elections have commenced in earnest, and stressed that the media have their role to play.
He warned that the media, as a critical stakeholder, must not be used as a tool of division.
“As the main bridge between INEC, political actors, and 90+ million potential voters, the press shapes expectations, trust, and behaviour before ballots are cast and after results are declared.
“It is on this note that I urge the media not to give room to political actors trying to tear the fabric of this nation.
“The media must remember we need to have our country first before we can talk about elections.
“This administration sees the media as partners; that is why we have ensured that they do their job without intimidation or any form of threats.
“My office is a good example of this. I will continue to relate with all of you as my friends of old,” he added.
The AGF said the theme of the conference, “The Role of the Judiciary in Deepening Democracy in Nigeria”, is apt and a pointer to the role the judiciary has played in strengthening the country’s nascent democracy.
“The judiciary is often called the last hope of the common man, and in Nigeria that phrase carries real weight.
“As the third arm of government, it provides the legal backbone that allows democracy to function beyond elections.
“Without an independent and active judiciary, democratic gains can be rolled back quickly.
“At its core, the Nigerian judiciary deepens democracy by interpreting the 1999 Constitution and ensuring that both government and citizens act within its bounds”, Fagbemi stated.
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