The Nigerian Government has again accused Amnesty International of employing double standards when dealing with matters affecting the country.
The country’s Information and Culture Minister Alhaji Lai Mohammed disclosed this to journalists in Abuja on Thursday.
With reference to a statement by Amnesty International in marking 100 days of the EndSars youths protests in Nigeria, where it accused the Nigerian government of concealing some information about the Lekki Toll gate saga, the Minister said Amnesty International has become an irritant because of the organization’s reliance on misinformation and fake news especially when it concerns Nigeria.
“When it comes to matters affecting Nigeria and other developing countries the organization has different stand point, but where it affects other countries another flip side is employed.”
Alhaji Mohammed challenged Amnesty International to either speak with facts or keep quiet.
He also advise the organization to respect the Nigerian judicial system by attending the sitting of the Judicial Panel of enquiry set up by the Lagos state government on the Lekki Toll Gate saga and present their facts to proof what they have been alleging all this while.
“They have to respect our judicial system. Is either you partake in the Commission of Enquiry panel with your proof or you wait for our judicial process to be concluded.”
He said the same Amnesty International kept mum when the U.S government arrested and charged those protesters that gained forceful entry to the Capitol. The U.S government insisted that they will arrest and prosecute the invaders whom have been tagged insurrectionist.
“But during the Lekki Toll gate saga when Law breakers were arrested by the Nigerian security agents, Amnesty International tagged them peaceful protesters.”
Alhaji Mohammed said the Nigerian government is certainly unhappy with this obvious double standards and deliberate targeting of Nigeria by Amnesty International.
“Enough is enough. Amnesty International should better come clean, keep quiet or lose its respect.”
Dominica Nwabufo
