He lamented that citizens can no longer freely protest mass killings and atrocities in the country without being harmed.
Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has raised concern over what he described as a steady erosion of democratic freedoms in Nigeria.
He lamented that citizens can no longer freely protest mass killings and atrocities in the country without being harmed.
In a throwback reflection shared on X on Sunday, Odinkalu a Professor of Law, recalled that about seven years ago, Nigerians openly took to the streets to protest against widespread killings and human rights abuses, a freedom he said no longer exists.
“Seven years ago, Nigerians could protest against atrocity massacres in the country. Today, it is a crime to do that,” Odinkalu stated.
He argued that civic engagement has been severely restricted, alleging that the space for dialogue with government authorities has narrowed to only violent actors.
“The only people with the freedom to communicate with the Nigerian government today are the killers and the perpetrators,” he said.
Odinkalu described the situation as a troubling indicator of the state of democracy in the country, warning that silencing peaceful dissent undermines accountability and the rule of law.
“This is the state of democracy in Nigeria,” he added.
His comments have sparked renewed debate on social media, with many Nigerians expressing concern over shrinking civil liberties, the treatment of protesters, and the broader implications for democratic governance.
Odinkalu, a respected human rights advocate, has consistently spoken out against rights violations and has called on authorities to uphold constitutional freedoms, including the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression.