Civil Society Groups Condemn Tinubu Government’s Clampdown on Rights and Freedoms
Maryam Aminu
In a powerful joint statement, over 60 civil society organizations have criticized the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for its increasing suppression of civic freedoms and human rights in Nigeria.
The groups warned that recent government actions, including the harassment of labour unions and civil society organizations, represent a grave threat to democracy.
The arrest of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) President Comrade Joe Ajaero and the siege on the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) offices by the Department of State Services (DSS) were cited as key examples of the government’s heavy-handed approach to dissent.
According to the groups, these incidents reflect an escalating crackdown on voices critical of the administration.
“We are witnessing a worrying trend of intimidation and suppression aimed at silencing those who challenge the government,” the statement read.
It condemned the unlawful detention of peaceful protesters, the targeting of journalists, and the use of excessive force by security agencies.
The coalition, which includes respected organizations such as Amnesty International Nigeria, Connected Development (CODE), and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), demanded the immediate release of all detained protesters, including minors, and urged the government to stop the persecution of journalists and civic leaders.
They also called on the Tinubu administration to respect the constitutionally enshrined rights of free speech, peaceful assembly, and the press.
As public discontent over government policies continues to grow, the statement warned that further efforts to suppress civic engagement would only deepen the country’s crisis.
The organizations have urged the Tinubu administration to engage with civil society and embrace democratic principles to restore public trust and protect Nigeria’s fragile democracy.
This collective outcry highlights increasing fears of a return to the authoritarian tactics of Nigeria’s past, as concerns about the state of human rights under the Tinubu government continue to rise.
The statement was signed by the following organizations :
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)
