Reactions have trailed the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria’s directive to have billboards with the inscription ‘All Eyes on the Judiciary’ removed in Abuja.
ARCON in the directive issued on Tuesday, 15 August and signed by its Director General, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo ordered for the immediate removal of the billboards across the country.
The move follows ARCON Fadolapo’s concern over the inscription of the advertisement stating that they violate established guidelines and could indirectly incite public unrest.
ARCON Statement
In the statement, Dr. Fadolapo explained that the materials must be taken down without delay, and those responsible for the creation of the billboards and dissemination sanctioned.
ARCON DG questioned the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP) of the Council for its oversight in approving one of the advertisement concepts.
According to Fadolapo, the central issue that raised alarm for ARCON is that the campaign’s core theme is closely tied to a matter currently pending before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT).
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Similarly, Dr. Fadolapo stressed that the advertisement’s subject matter being “jus pendis” renders it unsuitable for public discourse, as matters awaiting judicial pronouncement are precluded from being publicly debated or advertised in accordance with the Nigerian legal system.
Expressing worry over the controversial nature of the advertisement, the ARCON Director-General expressed noted that the Ad had the potential to incite public unrest and breach of peace due to its subject matter.
Dr. Fadolapo further raised questions about the intention behind the advertisement, stating that it might be seen as an attempt to undermine the Nigerian Judiciary and the PEPT, particularly the Honourable Justices who are expected to perform their duties impartially.
Following the development, Dr. Fadolapo dissolved the ASP Secretariat, citing its failure to properly exercise its role as the gatekeeper of advertising, advertisement, and marketing communications.
Also, Fadolapo hinted that following the development, the Director and Deputy Director of Regulations were suspended by the agency to ensure an unbiased investigation into the issue.
Nigerians React on Social Media
Meanwhile, reactions have trailed ARCON’s decision from Nigerians across social media platforms.
@UkomahM tweeted, “NIGERIA HAS BECOME A STATE OF INJUSTICE!
Did you also notice that because of JUST approving the ‘ALL EYES ON THE JUDICIARY’ Billboard, ARCON DISSOLVED the entire Advertising Standards Panel (ASP) Secretariat?
Information just reaching me is that the Secretariat was not only dissolved, they were all SUSPENDED.
What form of injustice is this!?”
Another user tweeted “ALL EYES ON THE JUDICIARY” is a matter before the court???
How daft can ARCON be to put out such moronic statements?
Why is APC through the use of different platforms trying to deny Nigerians their right to freedom?
The clock is ticking, and we will NEVER be silenced.
