Concerns Over Shrinking Civic Space Dominate NDEBUMOG’s One-Day Event in Uyo

By Ed Malik, A | ed@ddnewsonline.com | posted 29th August, 2025

Concerns about ensuring seamless interaction in Nigeria’s burgeoning democracy took center stage at a one-day event convened by the Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group (NDEBUMOG) on Tuesday, 5th August 2025, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The gathering focused on strengthening the Nigeria Civic Space Protection Alliance (NCSPA) Human Rights Monitoring Hubs (HR-MHs) and was supported by Oxfam.

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The event brought together leaders and members of the NCSPA, Women Shadow Budget Groups, traditional institutions, civil society organizations, community associations, and grassroots stakeholders. Technical presentations and moderated discussions were led by the NDEBUMOG Think-Tank, providing a critical appraisal of Nigeria’s civic space.

The discussions underscored that civic space is the oxygen of a civilized society, enabling citizens to organize, participate, assemble, and communicate freely. However, participants noted a disturbing trend: Nigeria’s civic space is shrinking, marked by unpredictability, insecurity, and fear.

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However, some of the critical issues raised included how authorities frequently invoke insecurity as justification for trampling on fundamental rights, particularly freedom of expression, movement, and peaceful assembly. Consequently, there’s seemingly a worrisome increase of intolerance of dissenting voices, with reprisals against citizens who exercise constitutionally guaranteed freedoms. The legislature, which ought to a veritable check on these excesses, has largely failed in its oversight role, with some lawmakers even misusing their positions to encourage rights violations instead of safeguarding them.

The fallout is a restricted climate where many citizens submit without much civil choice to intimidation and victimization, fearing fatal consequences for speaking out.

To address these challenges, the conference emphasized that the following resolutions and recommendations must urgently apply, noting that government at all levels must acknowledge its duty to promote and protect civic space, recognizing it as the bedrock of democracy. To achieve that mileage, policies and actions should prioritize citizens’ rights and democratic freedoms, rather than eroding them under the guise of security.

Additionally, lawmakers were urged to recommit to their constitutional responsibilities by using their oversight powers, legislative functions, and privileges to safeguard civic freedoms.

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The conference, while concluding that a democracy where civic space is stifled cannot be regarded as popular, sustainable, or enduring, enjoined citizens not to relent in advocating for their rights and democratic principles, which remain fundamental to good governance. Such vigilance is vital in investigating incidents of civic space suppression and in identifying culpable state actors who must be held accountable.

As Nigeria approaches the 2027 General Elections, politicians are urged to conduct themselves responsibly, recognizing that no political ambition is worth the blood of innocent citizens. In this context, members of the Nigerian Armed Forces must be continuously re-oriented to uphold democracy as irreplaceable, resist any temptation to truncate it and instead safeguard civic space and democratic harmony at all times.

The conference further emphasized that it is now more imperative than ever for members of the NCSPA and Human Rights Monitoring Hubs to remain vigilant and committed to monitoring civic space values, democratic etiquette, and inclusivity, thereby ensuring the sustainability of Nigeria’s democracy.

Participants reaffirmed their collective resolve to defend civic space as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s democratic journey and called for greater accountability from all duty bearers in protecting citizens’ rights.

They commended NDEBUMOG and Oxfam for organizing the event and lauded the “Fair For All” program for its collaborations with grassroots organizations, women’s groups and CSOs to defend and expand civic space. Participants also appreciated NDEBUMOG for establishing civic space monitoring hubs and encouraged citizens to actively engage with these platforms. In response, the organizers thanked participants for their commitment and charged them to serve as protectors of civic space and democracy across their localities, while continuing to advocate for good governance.

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Notable participants who identified with the resolutions and signed the Communique includes Esther Joseph David, Member, NCSPA/ABAK Shadow Budget Group, Ekaette Simon Akpan – Member, NCSPA/Uyo Shadow Budget Group, Pastor Ikakke Willie, Member, Nigeria Civic Space Protection Alliance, Edidiong Wilson, Member, NCSPA/Nsit Ubium Shadow Budget Group and Rosanna Bright, Member, Nigeria Civic Space Protection Alliance (NCSPA).