By Ishaya Ibrahim
A coalition of civil society groups under the platform of Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS), has condemned the expulsion of all non-governmental organizations (NGOs) operating in Zamfara State.
Recall that the state government via a public statement signed by the Commissioner Ministry of Security and Home Affairs, Mamman Ibrahim Tsafe, alleged that some NGOs operating in the state are involved in activities fueling insecurity, hence, the decision to expel them all.
But in a statement signed by Human Rights Journalists Network Nigeria, the Centre For Community Empowerment in Conflict and Peace-building, Rainbow Watch and Development Centre, and nine others said the allegation of NGO illegal activities fuelling insecurity in the state is both unfounded, unjustifiable and plays right into the playbook of civil society repression that has characterized the current political dispensation.
The statement added that there are legitimate NGOs that have contributed to the social and economic growth of Zamfara State.
The statement reads in part: “An expanded interpretation of this announcement will include religious bodies operating in the state.
“The laws of Nigeria have made adequate provisions for the prosecution of individuals, organizations, or groups engaged in illegal and criminal activities.
“The government of Zamfara should act in accordance with the provisions of the law and not use the back door to clamp down on civil society organizations (CSOs).
“We declare that this action by the government of Zamfara State is a direct attack on the civic space and it is condemned by the AGFCS.
“We fear that security operatives may seize the opportunity to clamp down on CSOs advocating for good governance, on the ground that they are engaging in “illegal activities.”
“The ban is a gross violation of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which guarantees – under Section 40 – every citizen of Nigeria the fundamental right to assemble freely and associate with other persons, in particular, form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of their interest.
“Also, section 1 (3) of the Constitution, declares that if any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.’
“In addition, the compulsory registration of NGOs in Zamfara State runs afoul of the provisions of Section 40 of the Constitution. It is against our laws that NGOs must be registered before commencing operations in the state. Therefore, the announcement by the Zamfara state government ordering all ‘NGOs to pack their load and leave the state immediately’ and directing security operatives ‘to investigate and prosecute any NGO operating in the state without due clearance from designated authorities’ is illegal and unconstitutional.
“We, therefore, demand a total reversal of the announcement ordering all “NGOs to pack their load and leave the state immediately.” Where there is the culpability of any non-governmental organization, the AGFCS encourages that those isolated incidents are properly investigated and any organization indicted brought to book.”
SIGNED:
HUMAN RIGHTS JOURNALISTS NETWORK NIGERIA
CENTER FOR COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT IN CONFLICT AND PEACEBUILDING
RAINBOW WATCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
BUILDING BLOCKS FOR PEACE FOUNDATION
RULE OF LAW AND ACCOUNTABILITY ADVOCACY CENTRE (RULAAC)
AMAKA CHIWUIKE-UBA FOUNDATION (ACUF)
THE PUBLIC ENLIGHTENMENT PROJECTS (PEP)
RURAL AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (RUDI)
OPEN ARMS INITIATIVE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OGECHI & SAM IKEH FOUNDATION (OSAIF)
ACCOUNTABILITY LAB NIGERIA
SPACES FOR CHANGE|S4C
