Some civil society organisations (CSOs) have urged the National Assembly to reject bills capable of threatening civic space, constitutional freedoms and democratic governance in Nigeria.

The CSOs stated this at a joint news conference on Monday in Abuja over what they described as growing restrictive and repressive legislative proposals before the national assembly.

The statement read at the joint news conference was signed by executive director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Rafsanjani; Director, Centre for Democracy and Development, Dauda Garuba, and the Country Manager, Global Rights, Olubunmi Aweda, among others.

They warned that the proposed laws would expand executive control over civic life and undermine freedoms of expression, association, peaceful assembly, media independence and democratic participation.

The CSOs argued that the pending bill formed part of a broader legislative effort to tighten executive control over civil society, independent media and digital spaces.

According to them, the proposals could create fear and self-censorship ahead of the 2027 general elections instead of encouraging open democratic participation and accountability.

The organisations particularly opposed the Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, saying it grants excessive powers over organisations receiving foreign assistance.

According to them, the bill seeks to establish a Foreign Aid Regulatory Commission, with powers duplicating existing agencies, including the Corporate Affairs Commission and EFCC.

“Mandatory registration, extensive reporting requirements, audits and sanctions under the bill can undermine civil society independence and legitimate humanitarian activities,” the CSOs said.

They also criticised the proposals requiring social media platforms to establish physical offices in Nigeria, warning that such measures could facilitate censorship and restrict access to information.

The CSOs maintained that both proposals were inconsistent with Nigeria’s constitution, the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and international human rights obligations.

They, therefore, urged the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the entire lawmakers to withdraw the bills, consult stakeholders and ensure future legislation complied with constitutional and international human rights standards.

They stressed the need for the national assembly to protect civic space, strengthen transparency and accountability, and uphold democratic values rather than enact laws which they described as repressive.

On which chamber of the National Assembly proposed the bill and at what level it stands now, Mr Rafsanjani called on the legislators to be patriotic.

“It is our responsibility as Nigerians, as patriots, as democrats, to begin to demand that there must be accountability, there must be transparency, and there must be openness.

“That is why we are advising people in power, whether in the executive or legislature or even the judiciary, that they should be just and fair to everybody. They should create a system, an enabling framework that will guarantee freedom as enshrined in our constitution and the various intentional protocols that we have signed as a country.

“We cannot continue with this impunity and reckless governance. We cannot continue to be lamenting and every day counting dates because some people have refused to do what they are supposed to do,” Mr Rafsanjani said.

No fewer than 89 CSOs were signatories to the statement. 

(NAN)