Buhari horrors show 69 protesters murdered in 8 years of Nigeria’s worst President
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s nearly a decade rule was marked by threats or intimidation of journalists and protesters, at least 69 of whom were murdered, an international human rights organisation has reiterated in new findings.
Global Rights said Buhari made frantic efforts to suppress access to information, curtail freedom of expression, as well as monitor how and for what purposes citizens assembled.
The report titled, “Shege! A scorecard on the Buhari administration’s impact on Nigeria’s civic space”, was published on January 13.
“In the eight-year term of President Buhari’s administration, Nigeria witnessed a notable decline on all frontiers of the civic space and basic freedoms,” the report said.
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Suspicious relationship with the media
“The administration was characterised by a suspicious relationship with the media, a frosty relationship with civil society organisations, and a clear desire to control access to information, curtail freedom of expression, and monitor how and for what purposes citizens assembled, the report added.
“There were also several legislative attempts made by the administration with regard to the civic space. If all these attempts made it into law, it is safe to say Nigeria would have emerged as one of the most repressive democracies globally.
“The number of peaceful protesters killed: at least 69. Number of arrests made during peaceful protests: 250 (estimated based on available data).
“Instances of government interference in the activities of CSOs: At least four. Number of journalists arrested, detained, or harassed: more than 189.”
Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) Executive Director Auwal Rafsanjani noted that “Under Buhari, there were a lot of unlawful arrests and detentions of journalists and civil society activists.
“Do not let us forget the atrocities committed against the Shiite, that alone is enough to send him packing. Buhari also came up with legal frameworks to gag the civil society.”
Rafsanjani urged President Bola Tinubu not to repeat or create or enable circumstances that will reenact the Buhari horrors.