A coalition of civil society organisations in Ebonyi State has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to urgently intervene in what they described as a “rapid shrinking of the civic space” following a series of arrests and detentions involving journalists and social media critics in the state.
The coalition, comprising the Human Rights Volunteer Corps (HRVC), Human Rights Action Group (HRAG), Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR) and Good Living Initiative (GLI), raised the alarm during a weekend press briefing in Abakaliki.
Led by Prof. Joseph Agbo (HRVC), Mr. Charles Otu (HRAG), Mr. Lawrence Omini (CDHR) and Daniel Ibiam (GLI), the groups expressed deep concern over the escalating harassment of individuals who criticize political leaders in the state.
TikToker’s Arrest Sparks Outrage
Their concerns were reignited by the recent arrest of a 22-year-old TikTok content creator, Chisom Achor, who was accused of posting allegedly defamatory material about Hon. Chinedu Ogah, the member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Achor was arrested by the police, arraigned, and subsequently remanded at the Enugu Correctional Centre, a development the groups say typifies growing intolerance of dissenting voices in Ebonyi State.
“We have watched with disconcerting reflections how, in less than three months, some journalists, writers, and social media critics have been arrested and detained,” the coalition said. “This trend is worrisome, unacceptable, and dangerous for the survival of democracy.”
While clarifying that they do not condone defamation, cyberbullying or misuse of any media platform, the groups insisted that the response of political actors has been heavy-handed and aimed at stifling legitimate criticism.
Coalition Seeks Probe of Lawmaker Ogah
The coalition called for an independent probe into allegations involving Hon. Ogah and his critics, noting that the silence of relevant authorities has further emboldened political actors.
“We organise this press conference to register our concern and dismay over the rapid closing of the civic space in Ebonyi by the political class,” the groups stated.
“We urge President Tinubu and the IGP to intervene before the situation degenerates into complete lawlessness.”
In response, Hon. Ogah, through his media centre, denied claims of persecution. Instead, he accused unnamed political rivals of sponsoring cyber-attacks and propaganda to discredit him and other office holders in the state.
“I wish to draw the attention of the public to the disturbing wave of sponsored social media attacks targeted at my person,” Ogah said.
“Leadership cannot be built on cyberbullying, fabricated propaganda, or the hiring of online attackers. Responsible politics requires selling ideas, not sponsoring falsehood.”
He expressed confidence in ongoing investigations, insisting that those behind what he described as an “orchestrated defamation campaign” would soon be exposed.
“The long arm of the law is in motion,” Ogah said. “Those who engineered and financed these attacks will face the consequences.”
The tension between civil society actors and political leaders has raised fears of a growing climate of intimidation in Ebonyi.
The coalition stressed that without federal intervention, the fundamental rights of citizens could be further eroded.
“For peace-loving people of Ebonyi, this is the time to speak with one voice,” they said, urging citizens not to remain silent in the face of rising repression.
