Centre LSD, OPG condemn ‘obnoxious bill’ by national assembly to scuttle transparency

Workshop participants strongly condemned pending legislation in Nigeria’s National Assembly that threatens constitutional freedoms of speech and association. These bills, particularly those regulating civil society, are viewed as deliberate violations of fundamental rights that undermine the principles of openness and accountability. The opposition to such restrictive measures highlights the critical tension between state control and the civil liberties necessary for a vibrant democratic society. The gathering emphasized the importance of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) as a unique platform where government and civil society serve as joint partners. By co-chairing the National Steering Committee, civil society ensures balanced representation, which is essential for holding government accountable to its commitments. However, participants warned against subtle attempts by government entities to fragment civil society unity, urging stakeholders to maintain a cohesive stance to effectively monitor the implementation of the OGP National Action Plan. This event is relevant to open data because it underscores the necessity of protecting the legal and operational space required for transparency initiatives to thrive. Without freedom of information and protection for civil society, the open data ecosystem cannot function effectively, as access to information and public accountability would be severely restricted. The call to exhaust all legal avenues for accessing data and collaborating with media to name non-compliant institutions directly supports the core open data goal of enabling citizens to demand transparency and improve governance through accessible information.

Source: quicknews-africa.net
Published on 2025-11-12

Centre LSD, OPG condemn ‘obnoxious bill’ by national assembly to scuttle transparency

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