…By Rose Onuigbo, Anambra

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), in collaboration with the Fund for Global Human Rights through the Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS), has renewed its call for the protection of civic freedoms and press independence in Southeast Nigeria. At a one-day dialogue titled “Voices Unchained: A Journey Through Civic Space in Southeast Nigeria”, stakeholders gathered in Awka, Anambra State to reflect on the shrinking democratic space and strategize on safeguarding constitutional rights.

Speaking on behalf of RULAAC’s Executive Director, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, the Programme Officer, Onyinyechi Nwosu, highlighted that the 2025 Civic Space and Security Project builds on last year’s successful initiative and the impactful documentary “Silenced Gongs”. The film, which was screened during the event, captures the experiences of individuals and communities facing repression and emphasizes the urgency of defending freedoms of speech, assembly, and association.

The dialogue served as a platform for open, inclusive conversation around the state of civic space in the Southeast, particularly amid rising incidents of rights violations. RULAAC emphasized the importance of engaging stakeholders, including media professionals, civil society organizations, legal practitioners, and affected communities, to develop actionable strategies that protect civic liberties and promote accountability.

“Civic space is not a privilege granted by the state, it is a right protected by law and sustained by the active participation of citizens,” Nwosu remarked. She added that RULAAC’s initiative also aims to connect victims of civic rights violations with trained pro bono lawyers, enabling legal redress and supporting long-term empowerment and justice.

Keynote speaker Prof. Jaja Nwanegbo, Director of the Institute for Peace, Security and Development Studies (IPSDS) at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, noted that Southeast Nigeria has historically thrived on vibrant public discourse. From town hall meetings to campus debates and local media, these spaces have long supported democratic engagement. However, he warned that growing threats to press freedom and free expression endanger both political stability and economic growth.

“A society where journalists work in fear and civic engagement is punished cannot prosper,” Prof. Nwanegbo said. He called for stronger legal safeguards, more rigorous judicial enforcement, and broader civic education to ensure that Southeast Nigeria remains a bastion of democratic participation and rule of law.

In a panel discussion, legal expert Barr. Chukwuemeka Okite stressed that repression leads to weakened public debate, reduced investigative journalism, and conditions that discourage youth engagement and undermine governance. Supporting this view, fellow legal practitioner Barr. Chekwube Ezekwike acknowledged that while laws like the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) provide a solid foundation, enforcement remains a persistent challenge due to institutional complicity.

The event featured testimonies from victims of civic rights abuses and critiques of policies that silence dissent. A communiqué issued at the end of the session highlighted widespread concerns, including arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions, judicial delays, suppression of student unionism, and the misuse of the Cybercrimes Act to target online expression. Of particular concern was the May 2025 incident in Uratta, Imo State, where a young man was reportedly tortured to death by vigilante youths over a missing power bank.

Participants jointly resolved to pursue a multi-pronged approach to reclaim civic space. Key recommendations included: halting the criminalization of dissent, promoting rights-based policing, reviewing repressive laws, ensuring independent judicial processes, engaging traditional and religious leaders to counter mob justice, and restoring democratic student representation. The media and civil society were urged to amplify victim stories, monitor abuses, and promote civic awareness.

The conference concluded with a strong reaffirmation that civic space is a cornerstone of democracy and must be protected at all costs. The signatories representing academia, civil society, media, law, women, youth, and grassroots communities, committed to transforming the dialogue’s outcomes into sustained advocacy, legal action, and community engagement.
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