Political commentator Dr David Matsanga has voiced serious concern about the state of press freedom and human rights in Nigeria, saying the country’s widening security challenges and fragile institutions are eroding its democratic foundations.
Matsanga argued that the worsening climate for journalists cannot be separated from the broader instability gripping the country. He pointed to frequent abductions, communal clashes and attacks on civilians as evidence that the state is struggling to provide even the most basic protection.
“There is no respect for journalists or for human rights,” he said, adding that the scale of violence reflects a deeper breakdown in governance. He described Nigeria as a “state without a state”, suggesting that long-standing regional, religious and political divides have weakened national cohesion.
His remarks come amid growing concern from media rights groups, who have documented cases of arrests, intimidation and attempts to restrict independent reporting. He say these pressures are emerging at a time when reliable information is crucial for navigating the country’s overlapping crises.
Matasanga warns that unless Nigeria strengthens its institutions and confronts the drivers of insecurity, the space for free expression, already narrowing, could shrink further, with far-reaching consequences for the country’s democratic future.
–ChannelAfrica–
