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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (InterSociety) has threatened to mobilise its international networks to seek travel restrictions against six governors over alleged political intolerance and attempts to restrict opposition activities ahead of the 2027 general election.
The civil society organisation named Governors Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Charles Soludo of Anambra, Monday Okpebholo of Edo, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Hope Uzodimma of Imo and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi.
InterSociety said it had begun compiling the names of the governors for possible submission to European and American diplomatic missions should what it described as attacks on political participation persist.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Emeka Umeagbalasi, and two other officials, the group accused the governors and their supporters of contributing to the shrinking of Nigeria’s civic and political space.
It alleged that opposition parties were facing restrictions on campaigns and access to political spaces in some states, while members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and other opposition groups had allegedly suffered intimidation and attacks.
InterSociety particularly alleged that some of the governors had used their positions to frustrate the political activities of opposition parties and NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
It cited an alleged attack on NDC members during a ward meeting in Enugu State and claimed that political and community leaders in Ebonyi and elsewhere had faced threats over their political choices.
The group called on the affected governors to “stop and desist from overheating the polity, stifling the Civic Space and resorting to crude political exclusion.”
It demanded unrestricted access to campaign venues for all political parties and presidential candidates, arguing that citizens’ rights to political participation were protected by the Constitution.
“Rights to political participation including rights to vote or be voted for are clearly provided as ‘Fundamental Human Rights’ under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution,” it said, citing constitutional guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, association, assembly and movement.
InterSociety warned that it could escalate its campaign internationally if the alleged restrictions continued.
“If these governors continue to portray themselves and their States as ‘enemies of ballot democracy and axis of electoral militancy and election rigging’, we will be forced to invoke our worldwide contacts, networks and partnerships to block them from making foreign trips to Europe and Americas,” the group said.
It said its proposed action would involve approaching relevant diplomatic missions through its international contacts and partnerships.
The organisation also raised concerns about the preparedness and independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the elections.
It alleged that INEC Chairman, Joash Ojo Amupitan, had come under pressure from powerful interests and expressed concern about the commission’s ability to deliver free and credible elections.
InterSociety equally criticised opposition leaders, including Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing them of not putting sufficient pressure on INEC over concerns surrounding voter registration, Permanent Voter Card issuance and electoral technology.
The allegations against the governors were those of InterSociety, and no responses from the six governors were contained in the statement.
