Civic space in Southeast Nigeria faces a crisis as stakeholders demand an end to arbitrary arrests, vigilante abuses, and suppression of free speech in 2025

Civic space in Southeast Nigeria is shrinking at an alarming rate, with stakeholders sounding the alarm over escalating abuses of free speech and assembly.

Also read: Kano Voter Registration Target Set at 10 Million, Govt Mobilises Committee

At a powerful one-day dialogue in Anambra State, convened by the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) with support from the Fund for Global Human Rights, voices from across the region united under the theme “Voices Unchained – A Journey Through Civic Space in Southeast Nigeria.

The meeting, held over the weekend of August 24, 2025, brought together civil society, academia, media, legal experts, youth, religious leaders, and victims of civic rights violations.

They condemned the growing clampdown on freedoms, citing arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and torture by state and non-state actors.

A chilling example was the Uratta incident in Imo State, where a 20-year-old was tortured to death by vigilante youths over a missing power bank in May 2025

Participants highlighted the misuse of the Cybercrimes Act to silence online expression, alongside judicial weaknesses like slow trials and denial of bail.

The suppression of student voices through imposed, unelected union leaders and the deafening silence of political leaders were also flagged as critical threats to democracy.

“This is a deliberate erosion of our constitutional rights,” said Prof. C. Jaja Nwanegbo, chairman of the dialogue.

The communique, signed by representatives including OnyinyeChi Joy Nwosu and Okite Chukwuemeka Onyeka, called for urgent action. Stakeholders urged federal and state governments to halt the criminalization of dissent and reform ambiguous laws like the Cybercrimes Act.

They demanded accountability for security agencies, prosecution of abusive vigilante operatives, and the restoration of democratic student unionism.

Journalists were encouraged to resist censorship and report violations fearlessly, while the global community was called upon to bolster local defenders with resources and diplomatic pressure.

Also read: Ogun Launches Lagos-style Environmental Task Force to Fight Flooding, Abuse

The dialogue reaffirmed that civic space is not a privilege but a constitutional cornerstone of democracy, vital for accountability and justice.