Global Rights, an international human rights organization with its Nigerian office in Abuja, has reported that 189 journalists were arrested, detained, or harassed during the administration of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari as part of the administration’s efforts to suppress access to information and limit freedom of expression.
In the report published on January 13, 2024, titled, “Shege! A scorecard on the Buhari administration’s impact on Nigeria’s civic space,” the organization said: “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 administration was characterized by a suspicious relationship with the media, a frosty relationship with civil society organizations, and a clear desire to control access to information, curtail freedom of expression, and monitor how and for what purposes citizens assembled.
The report also said the Buhari government allegedly made frantic efforts to suppress access to information, curtail freedom of expression, and monitor how and for what purposes citizens assembled.
“There were also several legislative attempts made by the administration about 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.”
It added that no fewer than 69 protesters were killed and 250 protesters arrested, detained, or harassed under the leadership of the former president.
For the full report can be downloaded from https://www.globalrights.org/ng/shege-a-scorecard-on-the-buhari-administrations-impact-on-nigerias-civic-space/.
