Protesters from various Non-Governmental Organisations/Civil Society Organisations on Wednesday, stormed the National Assembly in their hundreds, to prevent the passage of a bill for an act to provide for the establishment of the Non-governmental Organisation, NGO, regulatory commission.
The protest was led by renowned human rights activist, Chidi Odinkalu.
The protesters clad in shirts bearing ‘#NoToNGOBill chanted songs to taunt Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and other members of the National Assembly.
Amnesty International on Tuesday urged Nigerians to put up an opposition to the bill which it said will have devastating consequences.
Amnesty said the bill is capable of “shrinking the freedom of Nigerians”.
“The bill will have devastating effects on Nigerians which is why they are trying to pass it as quickly as possible, before too many people take action to stop it,” it said.
“The so-called ‘NGO’ bill will keep Nigerians from freely sharing their opinions, holding open discussion forums or organizing people to protest.”
The public hearing on the bill will end on Thursday, December 14.
