Issued: Abuja, 12:00pm
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (Situation Room) condemns the illegal shutdown of media organisations and the ban on political activities in Zamfara State. Situation Room notes that the Zamfara State Government has revoked the shutdown order, however, such act is inimical to the constitutionally guaranteed principle of press freedom.
Situation Room further states that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) which is the regulatory body for media organisations, should be consulted before any action concerning media activities in Nigeria is taken. An outright ban on these media stations without proper consultation is also a show of force of the State Government thereby undermining the authority of NBC. Situation Room therefore warns of the potential ripple effect such actions could cause. This could serve as a template for other State Governments to adopt.
The media is the watchdog of the society and saddled with the responsibility of informing and educating the public. The role of the media should not be hindered at such a time like this leading up to the 2023 General Election. The electorate has a right to be informed on all political activities in order to make a choice at the polls. The actions of the State Government show a lack of regard for Section 22 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution which states that the press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people, Section 39 which provides for freedom of expression safeguarded by the press in line with the Constitution, and Section 95 (2) of the Electoral Act 2022 which states that State apparatus including the media shall not be employed to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate at any election.
Situation Room therefore calls on State Governments to desist from such acts bearing in mind that the continuous stifling of the press could have severe consequences and further shrink civic space.
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SIGNED:
Ene Obi
Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
Asma’u Joda
Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
James Ugochukwu
Co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room
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The Situation Room is made up of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working in support of credible and transparent elections in Nigeria numbering more than seventy. The Steering Committee is made up of: Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), CLEEN Foundation, Action Aid Nigeria, Centre for Women and Adolescent Empowerment, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), African Centre for Entrepreneurship and Information Development (ACEIDEV), Justice Development and Peace Commission (JPDC) Nnewi, ASPILOS Foundation, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Mac-Jim Foundation, Kimpact Development Initiative, Democratic Action Group (DAG), Women’s Rights to Education Programme, EDO CSOs, Young Innovators and Vocational Training Initiative (YVITI), New Initiative for Social Development (NISD). Other groups are Centre LSD, CISLAC, WARD-C, Proactive Gender Initiative (PGI), Enough is Enough Nigeria, WANGONET, JDPC, YIAGA Africa, Development Dynamics, Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), Stakeholder Democracy Network, Human Rights Monitor, Reclaim Naija, CITAD, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR,) Nigerian Women Trust Fund, The Albino Foundation, Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE), Electoral Hub etc
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