Kenny Folarin, Abuja
The Executive Director, Global Rights, Abiodun Baiyewu has expressed displeasure over draconian laws which is a threat to not just the civic space but security and nationhood.
Baiyewu while speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at a dialogue on Solution Lab: Resisting Draconian Laws and Regulations on Civic Freedoms in Nigeria noted that the civic space in Nigeria is being repressed by many laws.
According to Baiyewu, more than 426 infractions on the civic space by the government has been recorded, with more than 112 against the media.
She disclosed that their are currently 9 draconian bills at the national assembly that are threat not just to the civic space but the security and the upholding of our nationhood but cannot be allowed to continue.
Baiyewu however implore Nigerians as the 2023 elections approaches to hold the government accountable by laws and policies imposed on them.
“We are going into 2023 and we must begin to know how to engage beyond just the voting and politics around election but to ensure that we are able to hold government accountable to the laws and policies that they profer to our civic space”.
“The civic space belongs to the people of Nigeria and not just a hidden group of people, so we must protect it”.
She however noted that the solution lab has identified role of citizens as important and draconian laws which are more prominent in states should be addressed by civil societies while ensuring that they state assemblies are held accountable to human right norms
Corroborating, one of the speakers Maxwell Kadiri stated it is important that draconian laws are challenged and to have a concerted level of advocacy, and continuous engagement with the legislative come 2023 is germane.