The Tinubu Administration’s Attack on Civic Space A Threat to Human Rights and Democracy CLOs Allege
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
We, the undersigned civil society organizations, are deeply alarmed by the increasing use of Nigeria’s security agencies to harass and intimidate labor groups and vocal civil society organizations under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. This troubling trend raises serious concerns about the state of democracy and human rights in Nigeria, as dissenting voices are being systematically silenced.
Widespread corruption, reckless spending, and harmful policies have fueled public discontent, yet the government responds with repression rather than dialogue. We strongly condemn the ongoing efforts to stifle free speech, restrict civil society, and undermine democracy. These actions erode public trust and create an atmosphere of fear.
We urge the government to immediately stop these attacks and restore fundamental rights, including freedom of assembly, expression, and association. These are the cornerstones of a healthy democracy, and citizens should be free to voice their concerns without fear of persecution.
The unlawful arrest of Nigerian Labour Congress leader Comrade Joe Ajaero and the siege on the offices of SERAP are blatant violations of democratic principles. Additionally, the targeting of journalists and protesters, including minors, is deeply disturbing and unacceptable in any democracy.
We call on the government to:
1. End the harassment of NLC officials.
2. Issue an apology to Comrade Ajaero and SERAP.
3. Release all peaceful protesters, especially minors, and drop any treason charges.
4. Provide justice for those harmed during protests.
5. Respect press freedom and cease intimidation of journalists and activists.
The statement signed by 67 Civil Society Organisations said Nigeria’s democracy must be protected, not undermined as failure to do so risks turning “Africa’s Largest Democracy” into a dictatorship.
Signed
21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth Initiative
Accountability Lab, Nigeria
Abuja School of Social and Political Thought
Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ)
African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD)
African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL)
Amnesty International Nigeria
Borno Coalition for Democracy and Progress (BOCODEP)
BudgIT Foundation
Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity
Centre Democracy and Development (CDD)
Centre for Community Empowerment in Conflict and Peacebuilding – Kaduna
Centre for Democratic Research and Training (CRDDERT)
Centre for Global Tolerance and Human Rights
Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD)
Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID)
Centre for Social Centre for Justice Reform
Centre for Transparency Watch
Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)
CLEEN Foundation
Community Life Project (CLP)
Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR)
Connected Development (CODE)
Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)
Elixir Trust Foundation
Emma Ezeazu Centre for Good Governance and Accountability
Environmental Rights Action
Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria (ERA)
Falana and Falana’s Chambers
Global Rights
Good Governance Team
Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF)
Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre)
Human Rights Social Development and Environmental Foundation
INVICTUS AFRICA
Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre
Lawyers Alert
Media Initiative for Transparency in Extractive Industries (MITEI)
Media Rights Agenda
Mothers and Marginalized Advocacy Centre (MAMA Centre)
Nigeria Network of NGOs
Open Society on Justice Reform Project
Order Paper
Organization for Community Civic Engagement (OCCEN)
Partners West Africa
Policy Alert
Praxis
Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA)
Procurement Observation and Advocacy Initiative
Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED)
RULAAC – Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre
Say NO Campaign – Nigeria
Say No Campaign
Sesor Empowerment Foundation
Social Action
Socio-Economic Research and Development Centre
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP)
State of the Union (SOTU)
Tax Justice and Governance Platform
Transition Monitoring Group (TMG)
West Africa Civil Society Forum (WASCSOF)
Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC)
Women in Media Communication Initiative (WIM)
Women in Mining, Nigeria
World Impact Development Foundation
Yiaga Africa
Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC)