Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has expressed deep concern over what he described as the steady erosion of democratic freedoms in Nigeria.

In a reflection shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Odinkalu, a Professor of Law, lamented that citizens can no longer freely protest mass killings and atrocities without facing harm.

“Seven years ago, Nigerians could protest against atrocity massacres in the country. Today, it is a crime to do that,” he said.

Odinkalu argued that civic engagement has been severely restricted, suggesting that the only voices with effective access to government authorities are violent actors.

“The only people with the freedom to communicate with the Nigerian government today are the killers and the perpetrators,” he stated.

He described this trend as a troubling indicator of the state of democracy in Nigeria, warning that silencing peaceful dissent undermines accountability, the rule of law, and democratic governance.

His remarks have reignited debate on social media, with many Nigerians expressing concern over shrinking civil liberties, the treatment of protesters, and broader implications for human rights in the country.

Odinkalu, a long-standing human rights advocate, has consistently called on authorities to uphold constitutional freedoms, including the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression.