They gave this warning in a statement through their heads, Edozie Chukwuma and Khadija El-Usman, on Friday.
According to the groups, Nigerians deserve protection against unlawful shutdowns of the internet and digital spaces before, during and after the elections.
They call on the Federal Government to give voters an enabling environment to vote and publicly express their opinion online and prohibit all forms of media censorship or internet shutdown.
It will be recalled that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in 2021, ordered the shutdown of Twitter for seven months which infringed the rights of Nigerians and prevented them from accessing the microblogging platform.
They noted that electoral campaigns, voter education and civic discussions of candidates have been powered by both mass and digital media.
“Nigeria is at the brink of conducting the most anticipated and contested election in two decades. The use of the internet, social and mass media conveys the importance of digital rights and freedom of speech in Nigeria,” they disclosed.
The groups, however, noted some of the common challenges faced in the digital space to include data protection issues, freedom of expression online, internet governance, regulation, shutdowns, online privacy, and surveillance.
They further emphasised that the federal legislation must prohibit undue interference with the digital privacy of any Nigerian citizen, protects the rights to peaceful assembly and association online of all Nigerians through social networks
and platforms, ensure access to the internet and electronic media without being subject to discrimination or censorship.
“Protects right to opinion and expression online without any restriction, secure the privacy of all online learners including students, protecting information and communication technology, ensures the government recognises the power of social media as a democratic advantage to reinforce democratic processes, drive efficiency, foster innovation, empower public sector workers and expose
corruption,” they added.
The groups called on the government to safeguard the civic space by curtailing
unlawful shutdowns, and guarantee freedom of expression and assembly online for all Nigerians.
“We call for the protection of digital rights and online freedom as it is of democratic importance to ensure accountability and good governance from our government at all levels.”
