By| Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja
The Movement for the Transformation of Nigeria (MOTION) has rejected the proposed Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Regulation Bill currently before the National Assembly, describing it as a threat to Nigeria’s democratic space and calling for its immediate withdrawal.
In a statement jointly signed by its Convener, Hauwa Mustapha, and Co-Conveners Christopher Isiguzo and Blessing Alims, the group urged lawmakers to abandon the bill and instead pursue reforms that would strengthen, rather than restrict, the operations of civil society organisations across the country.
According to the organisation, Nigeria’s democracy depends on the freedom of citizens to organise, associate and participate in national development, stressing that civil society organisations have remained indispensable partners in humanitarian assistance, education, healthcare delivery, climate action, disaster response, human rights advocacy, electoral integrity and the promotion of accountability and good governance.
MOTION warned that the proposed legislation could erode the independence of non-governmental organisations by creating unnecessary obstacles to their registration, governance, funding and advocacy activities.
It argued that such restrictions would discourage citizen participation, weaken public accountability and undermine democratic governance.
The organisation also maintained that the proposed legislation contradicts constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and association as enshrined in Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), while noting that Nigeria is equally bound by international human rights instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
MOTION further observed that civil society organisations are already subject to multiple layers of oversight through registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission, financial reporting obligations, tax regulations, anti-money laundering laws and donor accountability requirements.
Rather than introducing fresh legislation, the group urged the government to focus on enforcing existing laws effectively.
It noted that with Nigeria facing numerous development challenges, government should deepen collaboration with civil society organisations instead of introducing measures capable of discouraging local philanthropy, volunteerism and community-driven development initiatives.
The organisation called on the National Assembly to withdraw the proposed NGO Regulation Bill, embark on broad and transparent consultations with civil society organisations, development partners and citizens, protect constitutional guarantees of freedom of association, expression and peaceful assembly, promote an enabling environment for NGOs to operate responsibly, and strengthen existing regulatory frameworks instead of creating new restrictions.
MOTION also appealed to Nigerians to defend the country’s civic space and ensure that legislative reforms uphold constitutional freedoms, promote accountability and advance the public interest.
The group maintained that a vibrant and independent civil society remains essential to democratic governance and the achievement of Nigeria’s development aspirations.
