On Sunday, Amnesty International called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to stop threatening individuals and groups who voice criticism of the current administration. The human rights organization expressed deep concern over the Nigerian authorities’ increasing use of threats and violence against those who express dissent, urging the government to respect the rights of citizens to hold and express divergent opinions.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Amnesty International emphasized that expressing dissatisfaction with the government should not be treated as a crime. The organization further highlighted that the government’s response to critics must be in line with Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights standards.
“The Nigerian authorities must stop responding with violence and threats to individuals and groups who express dissenting opinions, which is a clear violation of both the Nigerian constitution and international law. Holding and voicing dissenting views is not a crime,” the statement read.
Amnesty International also condemned the alleged threats and intimidation faced by Ushie Uguamaye, a Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, after she posted a viral TikTok video criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s government for the economic hardship many Nigerians are enduring due to recent economic reforms.
Uguamaye’s video sparked public discourse, as she expressed her frustration over the worsening economic conditions in Nigeria, particularly the rising inflation and the deepening poverty that has left millions of citizens struggling to make ends meet.
In the video, she accused the government of not doing enough to alleviate the pain caused by its economic policies.
Following the video’s rapid spread on social media, Uguamaye claimed she was subjected to threats and intimidation by NYSC officials, who allegedly pressured her to remove the video. Amnesty International strongly condemned these reported actions and asserted that Uguamaye was merely exercising her right to free expression.
“Amnesty International strongly condemns the threats and intimidation directed at the young woman who posted a TikTok video lamenting the escalating economic hardship in the country. The woman alleged that NYSC officials [@officialnyscng] threatened her for refusing to delete the video,” the organization’s statement read.
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The human rights watchdog emphasized that Uguamaye’s actions were within her legal rights, stating that peaceful expression of discontent should be protected.
Amnesty International called for the authorities to focus on addressing the underlying economic challenges, rather than silencing those who are simply raising awareness of these issues.
It is perfectly within her right to express discontent peacefully. Instead of threatening her for speaking out about rampant inflation and the suffering it causes, the authorities should be prioritizing solutions to the country’s dire economic situation,” the statement continued.
Amnesty International also highlighted the broader context of Uguamaye’s situation, stressing that millions of Nigerians are facing extreme poverty and that the government’s failure to provide effective measures to mitigate the effects of economic hardship leaves people vulnerable to violations of their basic human rights.
The organization emphasized the importance of protecting the rights of those who speak out against such conditions.
Following the viral backlash, Uguamaye reportedly began receiving threats from individuals claiming to be NYSC officials. She expressed serious concerns for her safety, particularly after her personal details were allegedly leaked online. The pressure on her to delete the video reportedly intensified, with threats of punitive action if she did not comply.
Uguamaye has since publicly stated her fears for her well-being, noting that the threats made her feel unsafe. She revealed that she had been instructed to report to the NYSC office, a directive she feared was part of an effort to further intimidate and harass her.
Amnesty International, in its statement, underscored that the harassment of Uguamaye exemplifies the larger issue of suppression of free speech in Nigeria, particularly when it comes to critics of government policies. The organization reiterated that such intimidation tactics are a violation of international human rights standards and a direct challenge to Nigeria’s commitments to upholding the rights of its citizens.
The human rights group has called for the immediate cessation of all threats against Uguamaye and other critics of the government, urging the Nigerian authorities to take concrete steps to safeguard freedom of expression and ensure that citizens can express their views without fear of retribution. Amnesty also called on the government to prioritize addressing the pressing issues of poverty and economic inequality, rather than engaging in punitive measures against individuals raising legitimate concerns.
“Millions of people in Nigeria are facing extreme poverty, and the authorities have so far failed to implement effective strategies to mitigate the economic hardships that many citizens are enduring. Instead of targeting individuals like Ushie Uguamaye, who are simply speaking out about the realities of life for most Nigerians, the government must focus on addressing the economic crisis and ensuring that the basic human rights of all Nigerians are respected,” Amnesty International concluded.
As Uguamaye continues to face pressure for her video, the call for an end to the silencing of dissent in Nigeria grows louder, with many human rights advocates urging the government to uphold the principles of free expression enshrined in both Nigerian law and international human rights frameworks.
