Table of Contents
- Accusation Against the Administration
- Call to Action
- Disturbing Cases Cited
- Government Intolerance of Dissent
- Defense of Democratic Rights
Former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of suppressing civic freedoms and undermining citizens’ rights.
In a post on X titled ‘A Memo To Nigerians: A Call to Collective Voice on the Shrinking Civic Space and Erosion of Citizens’ Rights in Nigeria’, Ezekwesili criticized what she referred to as a “deeply troubling trend” of diminishing civic space and state intolerance towards dissent.
She urged Tinubu to promptly instruct the Inspector-General of Police to release activist Omoyele Sowore and his associates.
The former minister also called on Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to publicly apologize to EiE Nigeria’s Executive Director, Yemi Adamolekun, and another activist, Ms. Nafziger.
“The recent wave of actions against citizens by state security agencies reflects a deeply troubling trend — the continuous shrinking of civic space and erosion of citizens’ fundamental rights in our democracy,” she stated.
Ezekwesili highlighted three “disturbing cases,” including the harassment of Adamolekun during a peaceful memorial for #EndSARS victims, the police crackdown on protesters supporting Nnamdi Kanu, and the repeated arrest of Sowore despite a valid court order granting him bail.
According to her, this pattern indicates “an unmistakable dangerous trend” of an administration “intolerant of dissent, allergic to accountability, and fearful of citizens’ voices.”
“It is evident that President Tinubu is leading a government and security apparatus that are increasingly intolerant of dissent,” she remarked.
“The true strength of a government lies not in its ability to suppress criticism, but in its capacity to protect the rights of those who speak truth to power,” Ezekwesili emphasized.
The former minister urged Nigerians to stand up for their democratic rights, asserting that sovereignty belongs to the people, not to government officials.
“Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive on the silencing of conscience. Every act of repression against one citizen diminishes the liberty of all,” she concluded.
“We must collectively protect our right to speak, assemble, and demand accountability. Our democracy must not turn into a democracy without citizens.”
What did Dr. Ezekwesili accuse the Tinubu administration of? Dr. Ezekwesili accused the Tinubu administration of suppressing civic freedoms and undermining citizens’ rights.
Dr. Ezekwesili accused the Tinubu administration of suppressing civic freedoms and undermining citizens’ rights.
What actions did Ezekwesili call for regarding activist Omoyele Sowore? Ezekwesili called for the immediate release of activist Omoyele Sowore and his colleagues.
Ezekwesili called for the immediate release of activist Omoyele Sowore and his colleagues.
What did Ezekwesili emphasize about the strength of a government? Ezekwesili emphasized that true strength of a government lies in its capacity to protect the rights of critics, not in suppressing them.
Ezekwesili emphasized that true strength of a government lies in its capacity to protect the rights of critics, not in suppressing them.
