WARDC condemns attempts to ‘silence’ SERAP

Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), has condemned what it described as ‘the unshaded onslaught against democracy’ being perpetrated by state apparatus under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Founding Director, WARDC, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said that the government’s attacks against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), by the State Security Service should stop.

According to her, “It is alarming that President Tinubu who actively participated in democratic struggles is now leading the campaign against civil rights.

“We condemn in absolute terms, the attack against Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by the State Security Service, and all forms of intimidation or harassment whether directly or indirectly.”

Akiyode-Afolabi expressed worry that the tens if not halted is injurious to democracy.

“We also observed the recent arrest of Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Thankfully, he has been released,” she said.

“We call on Mr President to hastily address this pattern. As civil society organisations, we will sternly resist attempts to gag the civil liberties of the media, CSOs and Nigerian citizens. We will not be returned to the days of dictatorship.”

Also, the ImpactHouse Centre for Development and Communication has raised concerns about the unwillingness of Tinubu’s administration to tolerate scrutiny and uphold the democratic principles of free speech and civil liberties.

Executive Director of the Group, John Andah, said that the shrinking civic space in Nigeria especially the actions of security agencies toward silencing free speech, is eroding public trust in the present government.

Andah said ImpactHouse is deeply concerned over the recent arrest of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, and the occupation of the Abuja office of SERAP by the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a statement, he said “These actions, which follow SERAP’s public demand for accountability in the wake of the controversial hike in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), prices, raise serious questions about the Nigerian government’s commitment to human rights, transparency, and accountability, and also tend to worsen the already existing citizens’ distrust in government.

“While the NLC president has since been released, and despite DSS’s claim that its actions were within the law, the handling of these incidents signals a disturbing pattern of suppressing dissent and undermining freedom of expression, values that are essential to any functioning democracy.

“ImpactHouse is particularly concerned about the broader implications these incidents have on public trust, which is vital for sustainable governance.”