FOI Bill: Presidency Disown Special Adviser

The Presidency has swiftly distanced itself from comments attributed to Senator Abba Aji, special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on National Assembly Matters in many Nigerian newspapers today on the Freedom of Information, FOI bill.

Abba Aji reportedly told journalists in Maiduguri, Borno State yesterday that he will advise the presidency against signing the Bill which was passed into law last week by the House of Representatives.

The Bill is now awaiting similar endorsement by the Senate before it will be passed to President Jonathan for his assent.

However, the National Adviser to the Presidency on National Assembly matters who said he is disappointed that the House passed the Bill said he will advise the President against appending his signature to it.

“I will advise Mr. President to throw away the Bill, if it comes to his table as it is unconstitutional to pass such a Bill in this nascent democracy, where some of our journalists are biased and not objective in their reportage, and if this Bill is allowed, it will constitute threat to public institutions”, Abba Aji was quoted to have told journalists.

Ima Niboro, spokesperson for President Jonathan however said the views aired by the Special Adviser on the FOI Bill are personal to him and does not represent the thinking of the current administration on the issue.

Niboro added that Abba Aji’s views cannot be taken as “official” on the matter since he is not one of the officially designated spokespersons of government.