RULAAC Says Press, Civic Space Suppressed In South East Nigeria
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has has said space for the media and civil society to effectively them to play their assigned role more effectively is highly constrained in South East states of Nigeria.
RULAAC reach this conclusion at a one-day Dialogue Session on Civic Space and Security Project in Awka on Aug. 21..
The project was organised by RULAAC with support by the Fund for Global Human Rights through a subgrant from the Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS),
Participants at the Dialogue were drawn from the legal profession, media, civil society and community based groups.
The dialogue was entitled “Voices Unchained: A Journey Through Civic Space in Southeast Nigeria”.
Prof. Chukwuemeka Nwanegbo, a Political Scientist at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, said freedom of expression as a basis for democratic governance and civic participation was constitutional.
Nwanegbo in his lecture blamed the challenges to freedom in the region on ambiguous legal provisions, security challenges, separatist agitations, political tensions, and pressures from both state and non-state actors.
He described freedom of expression as the heartbeat of cultural and political life where people could lend their voices and make their choices without hindrance in a democracy.
Nwanegbo said freedom of expression reinforced good governance and business confidence while its suppression did not extinguish dissent but bred grievances and more dangerous forms of conflict.
“The Southeast faces complex security threats like separatist agitations, sit-at-home protests, and clashes between security forces and non-state actors, such a climate, open dialogue becomes even more critical.
“Investors and development partners look for environments where citizens can question leaders, where the press can expose corruption, and where whistleblowers are protected,” he says.
During the 2023 general elections, in Southeast states journalists were physically attacked, harassed, or obstructed, they faced threats, equipment confiscation, or intimidation during the gubernatorial and state assembly elections in the region
“To strengthen freedom of expression in the Southeast, we must take deliberate steps to:clarify relevant media laws, governments in the region should make a commitment to protecting journalists from harassment and security agencies must respect human rights,” he said.
In his address, Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director of RULAAC said there was a need to safeguard civic freedoms and deepen democratic space in our country, especially in the Southeast.
Nwanguma, who was represented by Ms Onyinye Nwosu, an activist, said the dialogue was in continuation of efforts to amplify voices, challenge the shrinking of civic space, and promote accountability in governance and security operations.
“Civic space is not a gift from the state, it is a fundamental right, guaranteed by law and sustained by the active participation of the people.
“Together, we can transform these conversations into concrete actions that will ensure the Southeast remains a place where voices are not only heard, but valued and protected,” he said.
