By Katherine Abayomi
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria) has joined other civil society organisations in condemning the alleged assault of Miss Ogadinma Minnie Uchechi by the Chairman of Ahoada West Local Government Area in Rivers State, Hon. Eugene Cheta Epelle.
The incident reportedly followed a social media post by Miss Ogadinma in which she highlighted the dilapidated condition of a public secondary school in her community, Odiokwu.
YEAC-Nigeria, a member of the Action Group on Free Civic Spaces in Nigeria, led by Spaces for Change, described the alleged assault as an attack on civic space and democratic freedoms.
The group noted that the reported action by the council chairman amounted to an attempt to suppress citizens’ rights to freedom of speech, association and peaceful assembly. It explained that Miss Ogadinma had shared her observations about the poor state of the school after interacting with teachers and students during a visit to the facility.
Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, Fyneface Dumnamena, said the Action Group on Free Civic Spaces is currently reviewing the situation and would soon announce its position on the matter.
Dumnamena added that the group’s response would aim to ensure accountability and discourage public officials from abusing their offices or resorting to intimidation and assault when legal avenues exist to address grievances.
