Rights Groups Protest Alleged Rising Repression


Rights Groups Protest Alleged Rising Repression


Meanwhile, a coalition of labour activists, pro-democracy organisations and civil society groups has staged a protest at the Oyo State House of Assembly and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) office in Ibadan over what they described as increasing repression under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The coalition, comprising groups such as the Federal Workers Forum, Campaign for the Defence of Workers’ Rights, Take It Back Movement, Amílcar Cabral Ideological School, Africa Action Congress (AAC) and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, alleged a growing pattern of arrests, intimidation and detention of citizens for expressing dissenting views.

Addressing journalists during the protest, leaders of the coalition warned that the clampdown on activists, journalists and critics represents a deliberate attempt to shrink civic space and criminalise dissent, posing a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic stability.

The protesters submitted petitions at both the Oyo Assembly and the NHRC, detailing what they described as systematic harassment of individuals critical of government policies. At the NHRC office, the delegation was received by the Ibadan Director, Mr Ayo Ogundele, who acknowledged their concerns and pledged to engage relevant authorities.

The coalition cited cases involving several activists, including Andrew Emelieze of the Federal Workers Forum; Abiodun Bamgboye, also known as Abbey Trotsky; Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress; Michael Adaramoye; and three University of Ibadan students, among others. They alleged that these individuals have faced arrests, prolonged detention, court trials or intimidation for participating in protests or expressing critical opinions.

The protest formed part of activities marking the 2025 International Human Rights Day. The groups called on the Federal Government to end what they described as the misuse of the Cybercrime Act to suppress lawful dissent.

In their petition, they stated: “The Nigerian government must immediately stop using state institutions to threaten, detain or prosecute citizens for exercising their fundamental rights. No government has the authority to criminalise dissent or punish criticism.”

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