Editorial
Press Freedom And The FOI Bill
Last Tuesday, the United Nations led more than 18,000 publications, 15,000 online sites, well over 3,000 media organizations, and hundreds of journalists’ associations in more than 120 countries across the globe to mark the 2011 edition of the World Press Freedom Day. On May 3, 20 years ago on the African soil in Namibia, stakeholders rose from a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)-facilitated conference, with the Windhoek Declaration, a statement of clear principles calling for free, independent and pluralistic media as a springboard for peace, transparency in leadership, democracy, good governance and development throughout the world.
Since then, every May 3, lovers and advocates for press freedom hold symbolic events with the core mission to defend and promote press freedom, quality journalism and editorial integrity while urging governments and owners of private capital in the media to ensure greater respect for freedom of expression and association in the society. With this year’s theme, “21st Century Media: New Frontiers, New Barriers”, the UN had sponsored events in cities across the world to highlight the “unprecedented opportunities” offered free expression by the internet, new media, social networking sites and information and communication technologies (ICTs).
From a book fair in Egypt, to a march in Timor-Leste, and from an exhibition of photographs and blog entries in Moldova, to a conference in Ecuador and a training session for journalists in Nigeria, the UN used the WPFD platform to stress the obligation of states to uphold freedom of expression, information and association, curb the “disturbing” lack of concern for journalists’ protection in a changing media landscape, and tasked states to exhibit responsibility, and check abuses of press freedom.
At an event in Washington, DC, United States, UNESCO Director-General, Ms Irina Bokova, stressed that freedom of expression remains as important as ever in the digital age, serving as a basis for democracy and human dignity everywhere. A joint statement she signed with UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, expressed delight that now, “more and more people are able to share information and exchange views, within and across national borders”, because of the emergence of the internet and the free access and voice it has given to everyone, adding that, “this is a blessing for creativity, for healthy societies, for including everyone in new forms of dialogue”. However, they also warned that new threats are arising alongside the new media technologies, with increasingly high-handed “measures to block, filter and censor information emerging every day”.
For the trio, this calls for action to defend the integrity and safety of all reporters. All principles of freedom of expression must be respected, and journalists, including citizen journalists, must be protected. “Over the last decade, more than 500 journalists have lost their lives in the pursuit of their profession. Sixty killings were reported worldwide in 2010 alone, and every week brings more reports of journalists and bloggers suffering from intimidation and violence”, they said.
During an event to mark May 3 in New York, the UN General Assembly paid tribute to the reporters who have lost their lives in the course of their work, and called for better protection of media professionals. “We are constantly striving to promote the fundamental values of the United Nations Charter, and in doing so, we hope that our global village will continue to show unity and resolve in stating that no one, no journalist, no citizen, should be harassed, threatened or killed, as they attempt to do their work”, the assembly’s acting President, Ambassador Zahir Tanin of Afghanistan, said, noting that “there can be no international security and development unless human rights are respected, and those who violate them punished”.
At a similar event organised by World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) and the World Editors Forum (WEF), in Istanbul, Turkey, Erik Bjerager, president of WEF said, “freedom of expression is freedom to criticize, to disagree, to raise doubt and to question. This does not weaken a nation, it makes a nation stronger. Therefore, journalists should not be harassed, detained, imprisoned or murdered. They should be thanked for their criticism, their disagreement, their doubts and their questions”.
The Tide shares these sentiments. This is why at a moment like this, it is important to draw attention to the many challenges journalists face, including those highlighted by these stakeholders. We agree that governments must uphold the tenets of freedom of expression, information and association as a critical driver of democracy and development. To this end, the Federal Government must ensure that a potent Right of Information Law that meets the aspirations of Nigerians is implemented to give citizens unfettered access to information and public records as active participants in the democratic process and national development.
It is unfortunate that Liberia beat Nigeria last October as the first African country to adopt a freedom of information law. The conference committee of the National Assembly must conclude work on the harmonisation of the FOI Bill and hasten so as to tramsit same to President Goodluck Jonathan for assent before May 29. While doing so, we insist that all extraneous and draconian clauses in the FOI Bill must be expunged, because once operational, the FOI Law is expected to give journalists the leverage to perform their professional duties creditably. It will encourage investigative journalism and make more public records available for scrutiny.
While we reckon that the Nigerian media have been relatively free, we note pockets of self-censorship, harassment of journalists by some public officials, especially security details, intimidation and violence against journalists, and urge society to realise that the only way to move the nation forward is to respect the sanctity and independence of the media.
The Tide also calls for improved cross-sector funding for the media. This will enable increased investment in new media development and better training for journalists to adapt the new information and communication technologies. We think the theme of this year’s WPFD is apt because majority of Nigerian journalists lack the capacity to deploy the new media tools to enhance their performance. This is, therefore, the time to move to the next level in journalistic practice, if we must catch up with the rest of the world.
Editorial
Benue Killings: Beyond Tinubu’s Visit

The recent massacre in Yelewata, Benue State, ranks among Nigeria’s deadliest attacks of
2025. While official figures put the death toll at 59, media reports and Amnesty International estimate between 100 and 200 fatalities. This atrocity extends a decade-long pattern of violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where Beacon Security data records 1,043 deaths in Benue alone between May 2023 and May 2025.
President Tinubu’s visit on 18 June—four days after the 14 June attack—has drawn sharp criticism for its lateness. This delay echoes a history of inadequate responses, with Human Rights Watch documenting similar inaction in Plateau and Kaduna states since 2013, fuelling a culture of impunity. The attack lasted over two hours without meaningful security intervention, despite claims of swift action.
The violence bore hallmarks of genocide, with survivors recounting systematic house burnings and executions. More than 2.2 million people have been displaced in the region since 2019 due to comparable attacks. Data show Benue’s agricultural output falls by 0.21 per cent in crops and 0.31 per cent in livestock for every 1 per cent rise in violence.
Security forces continue to underperform. No arrests were made following the Easter attacks in April (56 killed) or May’s Gwer West massacre (42 killed). During his visit, Tinubu questioned publicly why no suspects had been detained four days after Yelewata, highlighting entrenched accountability failures.
The roots of the conflict are complex, with climate change pushing northern herders south and 77 per cent of Benue’s population reliant on agriculture. A Tiv community leader described the violence as “calculated land-grabbing” rather than mere clashes, with over 500 deaths recorded since 2019.
Government interventions have largely fallen short. The 2018 federal task force and 2025 Forest Guards initiative failed to curb violence. Tinubu’s newly announced committee of ex-governors and traditional rulers has been met with scepticism given the litany of past unkept promises.
The economic fallout is severe. Benue’s status as Nigeria’s “food basket” is crumbling as farms are destroyed and farmers displaced. This worsens the nation’s food crisis, with hunger surges in 2023-2024 directly linked to farming disruptions caused by insecurity.
Citizens demanding justice have been met with force; protesters faced police tear gas, and the State Assembly conceded total failure in safeguarding lives, admitting that the governor, deputy, and 32 lawmakers had all neglected their constitutional responsibilities.
The massacre has drawn international condemnation. Pope Leo XIV decried the “terrible massacre,” while the UN called for an investigation. The hashtag “200 Nigerians” trended worldwide on X, with many contrasting Nigeria’s slow response to India’s swift action following a plane crash with similar fatalities.
Nigeria’s centralised security system is clearly overwhelmed. A single police force is tasked with covering 36 states and 774 local government areas for a population exceeding 200 million. Between 2021 and 2023 alone, 29,828 killings and 15,404 kidnappings were recorded nationally. Proposals for state police, floated since January 2025, remain stalled.
Other populous nations offer alternative models. Canada’s provincial police, India’s state forces, and Indonesia’s municipal units demonstrate the effectiveness of decentralised policing. Nigeria’s centralised structure creates intelligence and response gaps, worsened by the distance—both physical and bureaucratic—from Abuja to affected communities.
The immediate aftermath is dire: 21 IDP camps in Benue are overwhelmed, and a humanitarian crisis is deepening. The State Assembly declared three days of mourning (18-20 June), but survivors lack sufficient medical aid. Tragically, many of those killed were already displaced by earlier violence.
A lasting solution requires a multi-pronged approach, including targeted security deployment, regulated grazing land, and full enforcement of Benue’s 2017 Anti-Open Grazing Law. The National Economic Council’s failure to prioritise state police in May 2025 represents a missed chance for reform.
Without decisive intervention, trends suggest conditions will worsen. More than 20,000 Nigerians have been killed and 13,000 kidnapped nationwide in 2025 alone. As Governor Hyacinth Alia stressed during Tinubu’s visit, state police may be the only viable path forward. All 36 states have submitted proposals supporting decentralisation—a crucial step towards breaking Nigeria’s vicious cycle of violence.
Editorial
Responding To Herders’ Threat In Rivers

Editorial
Democracy Day: So Far…

Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 marked a watershed moment in the nation’s political history. After enduring nearly 16 years of successive military dictatorships, Nigerians embraced a new era of civil governance with the inauguration of President Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999. Since then, the country has sustained a democratic system for 26 years. But, this democratic journey has been a complex mix of progress and persistent challenges.
The formal recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged a long-standing injustice. The annulment of the 1993 presidential election, Nigeria’s freest, betrayed the democratic aspirations of millions. That it took decades to honour this date reflects the nation’s complex relationship with its democratic memory.
One of the most momentous successes of Nigeria’s democracy has been the uninterrupted civilian rule over the last two and a half decades. The country has witnessed seven general elections, with power transferring peacefully among different political parties. This is particularly notable considering that prior to 1999, no civilian government had completed a full term without military intervention. The peaceful transitions in 2007, 2015, and 2023 are testaments to Nigeria’s evolving democratic maturity.
Electoral participation, while uneven, has also reflected a level of democratic engagement. In 2003, voter turnout stood at about 69 per cent, but this figure dropped to approximately 34.75 per cent in 2023, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Although the declining turnout raises concerns, it also highlights the increasing expectations of the electorate, who demand credible and transparent elections.
Another area of progress is the growth of a vibrant and free press. Nigerian media has played a crucial role in holding governments accountable and fostering public discourse. Investigative journalism and civil society activism have exposed corruption and human rights abuses. The rise of social media has further expanded the democratic space, enabling young Nigerians to mobilise and advocate for change, as evidenced by the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
Judicial independence has seen mixed results. On one hand, the judiciary has occasionally demonstrated resilience, such as in landmark rulings that overturned fraudulent elections or curtailed executive excesses. On the other hand, allegations of political interference and corruption within the judiciary persist, undermining public confidence in the legal system’s impartiality.
Nigeria’s democracy has also facilitated the decentralisation of power through the federal system. State governments now wield some autonomy, allowing for experimentation in governance and service delivery. While this has led to innovative policies in some states, it has also entrenched patronage networks and uneven development across the federation.
Despite these successes, Nigeria’s democratic journey faces formidable problems. Electoral integrity remains a critical concern. Reports from election observers, including those from the European Union and ECOWAS, frequently highlight issues such as vote-buying, ballot box snatching, and violence. The introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results in 2023 elections showed promise, but technical glitches and alleged manipulations dampened public trust.
Corruption continues to be a pervasive issue. Nigeria ranks 145th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, with a score of 25/100. Democratic institutions meant to check graft—such as anti-corruption agencies and the legislature—often struggle due to political interference and weak enforcement mechanisms.
Security challenges have also strained Nigeria’s democracy. Insurgency in the North East, banditry in the North West, separatist agitations in the South East, and herder-farmer conflicts across the Middle Belt have collectively resulted in thousands of deaths and displacements. According to the Global Terrorism Index 2024, Nigeria ranks as the eighth most impacted country by terrorism. The government’s difficulty in ensuring safety erodes public confidence in the state’s capacity and legitimacy.
The economy poses another critical remonstrance. Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita stands at approximately $2,400 as of 2024, with over 40 per cent of the population living below the national poverty line. High unemployment and inflation have fueled discontent and disillusionment with democratic governance, especially among youth. Without addressing economic grievances, the democratic dividend will remain elusive for many Nigerians.
Ethnic and religious divisions further complicate Nigeria’s democratic consolidation. Politicians often exploit identity politics for electoral gains, exacerbating social tensions. Although federal character principles aim to promote inclusiveness, they have also sometimes fostered a quota mentality rather than merit-based appointments.
Gender representation remains inadequate in Nigeria’s democratic institutions. Women occupy less than 10 per cent of seats in the National Assembly, one of the lowest rates globally. Efforts to pass gender parity bills have faced stiff resistance, highlighting deep-seated cultural and institutional barriers to female political participation.
Civil liberties, while constitutionally guaranteed, are under threat. Crackdowns on protesters, restrictions on press freedom, and surveillance of activists reveal an authoritarian streak within the democratic framework. The controversial Twitter ban in 2021 exemplified the country’s willingness to curb digital freedoms, prompting domestic and international criticism.
The political crisis in Rivers State embodies broader democratic struggles. Attempts to control the state through undemocratic means expose weaknesses in federal institutions and the rule of law. Immediate restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State is vital to preserving Nigeria’s democratic integrity and institutional credibility.
Local governments remain under the control of state governors, depriving citizens of grassroots democracy. Last year’s Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy is promising, but state-level resistance threatens its implementation. Genuine autonomy would bring governance closer to the people and foster democratic innovation.
As we mark Democracy Day, we must honour the sacrifices of Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, Femi Falana, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Pa Alfred Rewane, President Bola Tinubu, and countless others, who fought for Nigeria’s freedom. As democracy in Nigeria continues to evolve after 26 years, this day should inspire action toward its renewal. With despotism and state failure as real threats, both citizens and leaders must take responsibility—citizens by demanding more, and leaders by delivering. Excuses are no longer acceptable.