The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has condemned with the strongest terms the recent invasion of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Secretariat in Abuja and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) office in Lagos by the security agencies.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has condemned with the strongest terms the recent invasion of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Secretariat in Abuja and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) office in Lagos by the security agencies.
In a statement, the Executive Director, CITAD, YZ Ya’u described the arrests as assault on NLC and CDHR as well as an attack on the principles of democracy, freedom of assembly, and freedom of expression.
He said,”The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) condemns with the strongest terms the recent invasion of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Secretariat in Abuja and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) office in Lagos by the security agencies. These unwarranted actions are not only an assault on NLC and CDHR but also an attack on the principles of democracy, freedom of assembly, and freedom of expression.
“The NLC and CDHR have long been advocates for the rights of Nigerians to freedom of express and association, and their recent criticisms of the security agencies using force against the peaceful protesters in the country during the #EndBadGovernance protest were entirely within their rights as defenders of democracy.
“The invasion of these organizations is a clear violation of their rights to operate freely and without fear. This invasion is a threat to all civil society organizations, activists, and citizens who speak against injustice meted on Nigerians by the Nigerian government and its security agencies.”
The CITAD Executive Director added,”As one of the civil society organization fighting for the rights of the citizens to exercise their fundamental human rights as enshrined in the chapter four of the 1999 constitution as amended, we once again condemn this violation of people’s rights to assemble and express themselves freely and call on the presidency to call these agencies to order, and to immediately cease these oppressive tactics and to respect the rule of law.
“Finally, we stand in solidarity with the NLC, CDHR, and all other organizations and individuals who are working to ensure that Nigeria remains a nation where justice, freedom, and the rule of law prevail.”
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