Presidency to SERAP: Stop publicity stunt, let’s know your sponsors

The Presidency on Wednesday asked the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to stop “the publicity stunt” and render its own accountability.

A presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, in a statement, said it was necessary to address “the repeated ridiculous claims” from SERAP that kept bringing legal action against the government and/or president of Nigeria.

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He urged SERAP to cease “its divisive, irresponsible, and bare-faced publicity stunts” and instead follow through on “its latest spurious legal claim” in a Nigerian court of law.

He said: “Very little is known about SERAP, or who funds them – despite their claims of being an organization that champions transparency and accountability.

“To date, SERAP has announced on repeated occasions – each time via a well-funded media campaign – that it is suing the government or President over a range of issues from alleged human rights abuses to alleged corruption.

“To date, SERAP has not taken their retinue of legal actions to a logical conclusion. They don’t follow through.”

Shehu said it was unfortunate that “our progressive, modern, and liberal legal system is open to manipulation by cynical actors who seek nothing but to sow division amongst Nigerians and secure publicity for themselves.

“Let them challenge the government publicly, legally and transparently. And while they do so, let them reveal in full view of the nation who they are, and who is funding them.”