Northern Nigeria Human Rights Advocates, a coalition of Human Rights Advocates in Northern Nigeria condemns in totality the restriction of Civil Society Organization activities in Adamawa State by the State Governor Umar Fintiri and call on him to rescind the unpopular decision.
In a statement on Monday by the Coordinator of the group, Mr. Sylvester Yibis said the Governor’s action violated section 39(1) of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria which guarantees freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinion, received and impact ideas as fundamental rights with impunity.
According to the statement, the right also guaranteed under the United Nation Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments which Nigerian State is a signatory.
“This action has shrunk the civic space and strife the operations of CSOs in Adamawa state and Nigeria at large. The action jeopardizes the efforts of both national and international communities that have invested in the state towards restoring peace and ensuring indigent and other survivors of the conflict in the north east bouncing back to normalcy.
“NONIRHA is calling the Adamawa state to reverse its statements and action; thus will thwart the effort made by the humanitarian organizations in northern Nigeria.” The statement added.
It could be recalled that The Adamawa state Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, had imposed a ban on activities of both international and local Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Adamawa state effective from the 29th February, 2023 to 15th March, 2023, over what he described as undue meddling in political affairs in the state.