Tinubu Vows To Defend Free Speech, Says Criticism Is Vital For Democracy While Critics Face Arrests, Charges, Intimidation

President Bola Tinubu has said that no public official should suppress free speech if Nigeria’s political and economic democracy is to thrive.

The President made the statement while addressing a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja on Wednesday as part of activities marking Democracy Day on June 12.

In a speech that stressed the importance of civil liberties and tolerance for dissent, Tinubu urged lawmakers and public officials to welcome criticism as part of democratic governance.

“As elected leaders, we must continue to do more to make real the dream of Nigeria’s political and economic democracy,” Tinubu said.

“We must be vigilant in expanding the political space. We must always value dialogue over dictatorship, persuasion over suppression and rights over might. Be tolerant and broad-minded in your legislative action regarding speech and civil liberties.”

“Do not be afraid to hear an unkind word spoken against you,” the President went on to state.

“We dare not seek silence because the imposed silence of repressed voices breeds chaos and ill will, not the harmonics of democracy in the long term.”

“While malicious slander and libel should not go unattended, no one should bear the brunt of injustice for merely writing a bad report about me or calling me names,” he said, adding, “Democracy requires a fair degree of tolerance for harsh words and stinging insults.”

“Call me names, call me whatever you will, and I will still call upon democracy to defend your right to do so,” the President said.

Tinubu’s comments come against the backdrop of increasing criticism of his administration’s record on human rights, especially regarding press freedom and civil liberties.

Despite his public defence of free speech, security agencies under his watch, particularly the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), have repeatedly clamped down on journalists, activists, and protesters.

Several media organisations and civil society groups have faced surveillance, intimidation, or arbitrary arrests since he took office.

Observers also noted the irony in Tinubu’s remarks given recent developments in the Senate.

Present during his speech was Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who has faced allegations of using state institutions to target political rivals.

One of the most notable cases involves Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who has accused Akpabio of harassment amid ongoing political tensions between the two.

Meanwhile, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has filed two separate sets of charges against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The move has drawn concerns from human rights advocates, who view the charges as part of a broader pattern of using legal instruments to silence dissent.

Tinubu acknowledged that he is frequently attacked, but insisted that criticism—even when harsh—should not be met with repression.

“Some of the best advice a politician gets sometimes comes from his most ferocious opponents,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian government, through the AGF, has filed a six-count charge bordering on cyber bullying and defamation against Natasha at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The charges stem from alleged defamatory remarks made by the senator against Senate President Akpabio, and former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.

According to the charge sheet obtained by SaharaReporters on Monday, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/195/25, the Federal Republic of Nigeria is listed as the complainant, with Senator Natasha H. Akpoti-Uduaghan named as the defendant.

The Senator is accused of deliberately disseminating false information through computer systems and networks, allegedly intended to damage the reputations of Senate President Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Bello.

The alleged remarks were made during a public address on April 1, 2025, and a live studio interview on Channels TV on April 3, 2025.

According to the charge sheet, the senator claimed that Akpabio and Bello discussed plans to eliminate her, with Akpabio purportedly instructing Bello to ensure her killing took place in Kogi State to make it appear like a local incident.

The charges against Akpoti-Uduaghan include cyberstalking, defamation, and causing a breakdown of law and order. If convicted, she could face penalties under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government had in May filed a three-count criminal charge against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for allegedly defaming Akpabio and Yahaya Bello.

Ironically, some civil society organisations initially applauded the Akpabio-led National Assembly for amending the Cybercrimes Act of 2015, recognising that its vague provisions had long been misused to suppress press freedom and free expression—contrary to the protections enshrined in Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution.

However, since the Act was amended in 2024, authorities across all levels of government have continued to rely on its provisions—particularly Section 24 on “cyberstalking”—to harass, intimidate, arbitrarily arrest, detain, and prosecute social media users, journalists, and activists.

Some civil society groups, including the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) have noted that while the National Assembly amended the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 in 2024, section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act (as amended) is “still vaguely worded, arbitrary and easily lends itself to subjective interpretation and repressive use by the Nigerian authorities.”

“Because the provisions of section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act 2024 are so broadly defined as to expose them to abuse for less legitimate ends, Nigerian authorities have persistently used these provisions to crack down and violate the human rights of Nigerians, including activists, bloggers, journalists, and social media users,” SERAP and NGE said in a recent statement.

Instances Of Free Speech Suppression Under The Tinubu Administration

Daniel Ojukwu – A journalist with FIJ (Foundation for Investigative Journalism) was abducted by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General of Police for alleged violations of the Cybercrime Act. He was held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Lagos, before being transferred to Abuja.

Segun Olatunji – The editor of FirstNews was arrested at his home by heavily armed military personnel, including operatives from the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). He was detained in an underground military cell for 14 days over a story linking Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to the President, to a $30 billion loot.

Kasarachi Aniagolu – A journalist with The Whistler Newspaper, was arrested and detained by the anti-violent crime unit of the police on February 21, 2024.

Dele Farotimi – A human rights activist and lawyer, was prosecuted for alleged defamation. He appeared in court in handcuffs, which human rights groups condemned as excessive.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan – She faces defamation cases reportedly filed on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. The Federal High Court in Abuja declined a request for a bench warrant against her.

Abiodun Thomas – A rights activist, also known as Horlarmidey Africano, was arrested in Lagos State on December 13, 2024, after allegedly criticising Seyi Tinubu (President Bola Tinubu’s son), Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and Police Spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi.

She was detained at the Suleja Custodial Centre, spending Christmas, her birthday, and New Year’s Day in custody before being granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

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