Abuja – 10 September, 2024

ImpactHouse Centre for Development Communication (ImpactHouse) expresses deep concern over the recent arrest of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, and the occupation of the Abuja office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) by the Department of State Services (DSS).

These actions, which follow SERAP’s public demand for accountability in the wake of the controversial hike in Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) prices, raise serious questions about the Nigerian government’s commitment to human rights, transparency, and accountability, and also tend to worsen the already existing citizens’ distrust in government.

While the NLC president has since been released, and despite DSS’s claim that its actions were within the law, the handling of these incidents signals a disturbing pattern of suppressing dissent and undermining freedom of expression, values that are essential to any functioning democracy.

The arrest of Ajaero, a key advocate for workers’ rights, coupled with the invasion of SERAP’s office, suggests an attempt to stifle organisations and individuals championing transparency in government. ImpactHouse is particularly concerned about the broader implications these incidents have on public trust, which is vital for sustainable governance.

‘When citizens perceive government agencies as tools for suppression rather than protectors of public interest, it erodes trust in leadership and weakens the foundations of our democracy’, ImpactHouse Executive Director, John Andah, said.

‘SERAP’s call for an investigation into alleged corruption within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) resonates with the public’s legitimate demand for transparency and accountability in the management of national resources. Therefore, the response from the DSS has raised concerns about the willingness of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to tolerate scrutiny and uphold the democratic principles of free speech and civil liberties’.

ImpactHouse urges President Tinubu to take immediate steps to restore public trust by ensuring that the rights of all citizens and civil society organisations (CSOs) are respected. We call on the government to:

Guarantee the protection of civil liberties and freedom of expression, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
Provide transparency and accountability regarding the circumstances surrounding Ajaero’s arrest and the DSS’s actions against SERAP.
Engage constructively with CSOs to promote transparency, good governance, and the protection of public interest.
Failure to do so risks deepening the existing divides and undermining Nigeria’s progress on the path to democratic consolidation.

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About ImpactHouse
ImpactHouse is a tech-driven nonprofit focused on driving a uniform understanding of development messages across Africa. We utilise storytelling, respect local contexts and cultures, and rely on a mix of communication tools, channels, and participatory approaches to ensure messages on civic participation, good governance, media and civil society development, gender equity, justice, education, and human rights are comprehensively understood and accepted. Since 2011, ImpactHouse has pioneered a unique approach to journalism and Media for Development (M4D), emerging as Africa’s foremost development sector news and information service agency. We are committed to promoting factual analysis and compelling reporting on social problems and responses.