CSOs urge NASS to withdraw bills threatening civic space

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National Assembly

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By John Alechenu, Abuja

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More than 100 Nigerian, African and international human rights organisations have called on the National Assembly to withdraw what they described as restrictive bills capable of undermining civic space ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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The groups, in a joint petition made public in Abuja on Monday by the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, warned that the proposed legislations could expand executive control and weaken freedoms of expression, assembly, association, media and access to information.

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The coalition expressed concern over what it termed a growing number of “restrictive and repressive bills” before the National Assembly, arguing that their passage would affect democratic participation, accountability and the rule of law.

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The petitioners said, “If enacted, these bills would significantly expand executive control over civic life and further undermine the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, freedom of association, media freedom, access to information, democratic participation and the rule of law.”

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The groups said Nigeria’s civic space had faced increasing pressure since May 2023, citing the prosecution of activist Omoyele Sowore, alleged reprisals against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), and what they described as the misuse of the Cybercrimes Act against journalists and government critics.

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They also referenced reports by international monitoring organisations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which they said documented cases of journalists being arrested, attacked or harassed across several states and the Federal Capital Territory.

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The coalition specifically raised concerns over the Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026 (SB.1034), arguing that it grants broad powers to a proposed Foreign Aid Regulatory Commission (FARC) to regulate, audit, sanction and suspend non-governmental organisations.

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According to the groups, the bill duplicates the functions of existing agencies such as the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML), while creating opportunities for undue state interference in the activities of civil society organisations.

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They also opposed a proposed bill requiring social media platforms to establish physical offices in Nigeria or risk being banned, describing the measure as capable of restricting access to information, encouraging censorship and discouraging innovation and investment.

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The organisations cited Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), insisting that any restriction on fundamental freedoms must meet the requirements of legality, necessity and proportionality.

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“Both the Foreign Aids Bill and the proposed legislation requiring social media platforms to establish physical offices in Nigeria are incompatible with Nigeria’s constitutional, regional and international human rights obligations,” they said.

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The coalition urged the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and lawmakers to withdraw SB.1034, the social media office bill and other proposed measures they believe could restrict civic freedoms.

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They also demanded wider public consultations before any reforms affecting citizens’ rights and democratic freedoms are considered.

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The groups said the National Assembly faces a critical choice between enacting laws that strengthen democratic values or those that could limit civic participation.

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“We urge the National Assembly to reject these repressive bills in their entirety and instead enact legislation that protects civic space, strengthens transparency and accountability, promotes meaningful public participation, and reinforces the constitutional and democratic values on which Nigeria’s future depends,” the petition stated.

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