International human rights organisation, Amnesty International, has demanded an immediate reversal of expulsion of non-governmental organisations by the Adamawa and Zamfara state governments in the Northern region of Nigeria.
Recall that the Zamfara State Government in February this year ordered all Non-Governmental Organisations in the state to leave the state over what it described as “illegal activities”.
A statement by the state Commissioner for Security and Home Affairs, Mamman Tsafe, had stated that “It is further noted that the majority of these illegal NGOs have not registered with the state in line with the laid down rules and regulations of the government. Some of them have also been found to be engaging in activities fueling insecurity in the state and its neighbourhood.
“Henceforth, the government orders all NGOs in the state to pack their belongings and leave the state immediately. Ministries and Departments of government have been ordered to stop any further relationships with any NGO, as punitive measures will be taken against any MDAs found having any relationships with such NGOs.”
The state government directed security agencies in the state to be vigilant to the NGOs.
“Security agencies are hereby directed to investigate and prosecute any NGOs operating in the state without due clearance from designated authorities. Results of such prosecutions are to be forwarded to this Ministry for records please.”
Similarly, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State before the Saturday February 25, 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections, suspended all activities of all non-governmental organisations in the state, saying that the suspension was to avoid vote buying associated with NGOs.
Reacting to the suspension of the NGOs in the two Northern states, Amnesty International described it as repressive and a direct attack on the civic space, saying that such crackdown on independent organizations and human rights defenders must stop.
It stated on its Twitter page that “Amnesty International calls for the immediate reversal of the arbitrary expulsion of non-governmental organizations by the governors of Adamawa @GovernorAUF and Zamfara @Bellomatawalle1 states in northern Nigeria.
“Targeting organizations solely for carrying out their normal activities when they are saving lives will mostly hurt the vulnerable communities they are serving.
“This crackdown on independent organizations and human rights defenders must stop. The governors of Adamawa and Zamfara states must allow independent organizations and human rights defenders to freely carry out their work.
“The suspension of NGOs in the two states, both ravaged by insecurity and conflict, is repressive and a direct attack on the civic space.”