Atedo Peterside, the founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc and Anap Foundation, has expressed his opinion that the recently displayed slogan, “All Eyes On The Judiciary,” appearing on billboards nationwide, holds no offensive nature.
Following a directive from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), billboards featuring this slogan were ordered to be taken down. These billboards were funded by a group known as the Diaspora for Good Governance; the messaging was prominently exhibited as the country’s presidential election tribunal was on the verge of announcing its decision regarding the petitions contesting President Bola Tinubu’s triumph in the general election.
Notably, ARCON went beyond removing the billboards; it disbanded its Advertising Standards Panel and temporarily suspended the director and deputy director of regulations. This action came as a response to the approval of billboards that specifically targeted the presidential election petition tribunal.
In a recent tweet posted on Friday, Peterside articulated his stance, asserting that the slogan should not reasonably offend anyone possessing sound judgment. He stated, “I believe that #AllEyesOnTheJudiciary is a neutral expression, which, in a well-mannered society, should not provoke offense in a conscientious and upright individual.”
Read also: Advert regulators order removal of “All Eyes on the Judiciary” billboards
Peterside went on to highlight the stark contrast between the neutral slogan and a more negative one, exemplifying, “I can comprehend someone’s rejection of a pessimistic slogan like ‘Let us turn our backs on the judiciary.'”
For the record, methinks #AllEyesOnTheJudiciary is a neutral slogan that should ordinarily not offend a right thinking & sincere person in a civilised society. I can understand someone rejecting a negative slogan like “Let us turn our noses up at the Judiciary”. Enough said
— Atedo Peterside (@AtedoPeterside) August 18, 2023
