Stop shrinking civic space, CISLAC tells Buhari

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has asked President Muhammadu to stop shrinking the civic space.

Auwal Ibrahim, executive director of CISLAC, in a statement on Saturday, condemned the recent ban of Twitter by the federal government.

Ibrahim said the Buhari administration has proved to be undemocratic showing no respect for fundamental human rights

He said the sequence of recent events, along with media harassment and illegal ban on protests, are “basic symptoms of the lack of necessary democratic values in the country”.

“And there continue to be unlawful attempts by a few individuals or group to “undermine democratic values, inflame mayhems and public disorder,” he said.

“These democratic values are mistaken by some individuals or groups to exacerbate insecurity, inflict tensions, killings, destructions and instabilities; as recently observed in some parts of the country.

“We demand unconditional respect for citizens’ human rights irrespective of their socio-economic and political status at all levels including recognition of their freedom of expression as a Constitutional right and not privilege.

“We call on the government at all levels to uphold and allow civic space for meaningful contribution to democratic governance in Nigeria, with demonstrated commitment to the principles of responsibility and responsiveness for good governance.

“We call for the creation of an independent and functional Electoral Offences Commission to investigate and prosecute breaches of relevant electoral provisions including vote buying and rigging.

“We further demand immediate investigation and prosecution of the recent killings of innocent citizens and security personnel in various parts of the country to demonstrate social justice, reinforce peaceful co-existence and responsive governance.”