The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) on Sunday condemned the recent invasion of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) secretariat in Abuja and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) office in Lagos by security agencies.
The organisation described these actions as an assault on democracy, freedom of assembly, and of expression in Nigeria.
In a statement released and signed by YZ Ya’u, executive director of CITAD, the centre stated that both the NLC and CDHR have been steadfast advocates for Nigerians’ rights to freedom of expression and association.
Their recent criticisms of the security agencies’ use of force against peaceful protesters during the #EndBadGovernance protests were entirely within their rights as defenders of democracy, the organisation noted.
Ya’u denounced the invasions as clear violations of the rights of the NLC and CDHR to operate freely and without intimidation. The organisation expressed concern that these actions pose a broader threat to all civil society organisations, activists, and citizens who challenge injustices perpetrated by the Nigerian government and its security apparatus.
“As a civil society organisation committed to defending the rights of citizens to exercise their fundamental human rights as enshrined in Chapter Four of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), we once again condemn this violation of people’s rights to assemble and express themselves freely,” Ya’u stated.
The organisation called on the presidency to immediately rein in the security agencies, cease these oppressive tactics, and respect the rule of law.
He concluded by expressing CITAD’s solidarity with the NLC, CDHR, and all other organisations and individuals striving to ensure that justice, freedom, and the rule of law prevail in Nigeria.
