Groups condemn threat to freedom of expression

Civil Society Groups in Nigeria have expressed deep concerns over what they described as a threat to freedom of expression and association.

This is against the backdrop of recent attacks by security personnel preventing protesters from, and assaults against journalists.

They described it as an infringement on citizens’ rights to association, that government would consider passing laws that would bar citizens’ constitutional rights to express themselves.

Both groups, appealed for the maintenance of a safe space for people to voice their grievances without government interference.

In an event tagged Speak, in Abuja recently, the two groups; Oxfam Nigeria and Connected Development, gathered youths across board to sue for national unity and peaceful coexistence in what they described as a safe space to speak.

According to the groups, as 2019 elections draw near, there is need to strengthen the seemingly diminishing freedom of expression and association, as an integral component of democracy.

Giving imperative for such gathering, the Head of Public Engagement, OXFAM Nigeria, Abdulazeez Musa, said with recent assaults against journalists and peaceful protesters, there is a need to create a safe civil space for people to express themselves.

Musa added that the ‘Speak’ was a wakeup call to youths especially, to shun ethnic and religious biases, in the quest for a better Nigeria.

He stated that “The civic space in Nigeria has increasingly been closing, depends on how you see it.

“The fact that we have some bills in the National Assembly trying to restrict the use of social media, or journalists being jailed for a report is worrisome.

“People cannot speak freely or protest peacefully without the fear of attack or assaults, we are now going back to the old times.

“So with this alternative space, we intend to engage the citizens on their rights as well as responsibilities.

We want them to freely express themselves and help reinforce good ideas and dissuade wrong perceptions, as well as encouraging use the power of the social media in particular to press for changes”, he stated.

Founder of Connected Development, Hamza Lawal stated that engaging citizens in public discourse, would increase government’s accountability, while calling on youths to shun political thuggery in the discharge of their civic responsibilities.

“This ‘speak’ event is a global movement to encourage youths especially to engage in topical debates and familiarize them with important demands,to look out for in candidates of their choice, “ he added.