Over 80 Civil Society Groups Urge National Assembly to Reject ‘Repressive’ Bills, Warn of Threat to Democracy

Over 80 Nigerian, African and international human rights organisations have jointly called on the National Assembly to immediately withdraw a series of controversial bills they say pose a serious threat to civic freedoms, democratic governance and constitutional rights.

At a joint press conference held in Abuja, the coalition warned that the proposed laws would significantly expand executive control over civil society, independent media and digital platforms, while undermining freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, access to information and democratic participation.

The organisations expressed concern that the bills are being considered at a time when Nigeria’s civic space is experiencing what they described as one of its most significant declines since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999. They alleged that since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, journalists, activists, bloggers, civil society organisations and government critics have increasingly faced arbitrary arrests, politically motivated prosecutions, intimidation, judicial harassment and the misuse of existing laws, particularly the Cybercrimes Act.

Citing recent developments, the coalition referenced the continued prosecution of activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore, alleged reprisals against the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), and increasing pressure on independent media organisations. They also pointed to a May 2026 report by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which documented 91 cases of journalists being arrested, attacked or harassed across 13 states and the Federal Capital Territory during the first three years of the current administration.

The groups particularly criticised the proposed Foreign Aids (Regulation, Transparency and Disclosure) Bill, 2026 (SB.1034), arguing that although it is presented as a transparency measure, it would grant sweeping powers to a proposed Foreign Aid Regulatory Commission to monitor, register, inspect, sanction and potentially suspend organisations receiving foreign assistance. According to the coalition, the bill duplicates the responsibilities of existing agencies such as the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), while creating opportunities for excessive government interference in the work of non-governmental organisations.

The coalition also rejected a separate legislative proposal that would require social media platforms to establish physical offices in Nigeria or risk being barred from operating in the country. They argued that the measure could increase government influence over digital platforms, facilitate censorship, discourage innovation and investment, and restrict citizens’ access to information and online civic engagement, especially as preparations begin for the 2027 general elections.

According to the organisations, both legislative proposals are inconsistent with Nigeria’s Constitution and the country’s obligations under regional and international human rights treaties, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). They maintained that any restrictions on fundamental rights must satisfy internationally recognised standards of legality, necessity and proportionality, adding that the proposed bills fail to meet those requirements and could weaken democratic accountability.

The coalition therefore urged the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and all members of the National Assembly to withdraw the bills, ensure future legislation complies with constitutional and international human rights standards, and engage in broad consultations with civil society, journalists, digital rights advocates and other stakeholders before introducing reforms affecting civic freedoms. They stressed that the National Assembly faces a defining choice between passing laws that expand executive control or strengthening democracy by protecting civic space, transparency, accountability and the rule of law.