Former CLO President, Ayo Obe Says Nigeria Needs Democratic Legitimacy To Sustain Security
Former President of the Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO and rights lawyer, Ayo Obe, says that Nigeria’s worsening security challenges should not be used to justify undermining democratic governance, adding that national security and human rights are complementary rather than conflicting objectives.
Former President of the Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO and rights lawyer, Ayo Obe, says that Nigeria’s worsening security challenges should not be used to justify undermining democratic governance, adding that national security and human rights are complementary rather than conflicting objectives.
The pro-democracy activist, spoke on Friday while addressing the June 12, 2026, edition of The Platform amid growing concerns over kidnappings and violent crimes across communities in parts of Yoruba.
She acknowledged that the deteriorating security situation has led some Nigerians to question whether democracy is capable of addressing the nation’s challenges, noting that it was tempting for some citizens to conclude that democratic governance was the problem.
Obe further accused politicians of focusing more on electoral contests than on protecting lives and property, even as she rejected the notion that democracy and security were at odds.
Her words, “I need to make my position about this very clear. There is absolutely no conflict between national security and democracy.
Her words, “I need to make my position about this very clear. There is absolutely no conflict between national security and democracy.
“In fact, in my view, if our security is to be sustained, then we have to have democratic legitimacy.
“What we have seen is that violence is not enough to suppress that barbarism...
“Human rights and security are not enemies; on the contrary, they are partners.”
According to her, Nigeria cannot afford to adopt scorched-earth tactics against its own citizens, even as sustainable security can only be achieved through governments that enjoy democratic legitimacy and the confidence of the people.
Obe further noted that democratic institutions can endure only if responses to criminal violence are anchored in the rule of law, warning against approaches that disregard human rights in the pursuit of security, adding that excessive force and unlawful tactics have historically failed to eliminate violent extremism and criminality.
The former CLO president stressed that terrorism, insurgency, banditry and kidnapping remain serious threats to national stability, pointing out that efforts to combat them must remain within the bounds of the law.
On those who believe that security forces have been overly compromised in dealing with perpetrators, Obe argued that respecting human rights does not weaken security operations.
Obe further noted that democratic institutions can endure only if responses to criminal violence are anchored in the rule of law, warning against approaches that disregard human rights in the pursuit of security, adding that excessive force and unlawful tactics have historically failed to eliminate violent extremism and criminality.
The former CLO president stressed that terrorism, insurgency, banditry and kidnapping remain serious threats to national stability, pointing out that efforts to combat them must remain within the bounds of the law.
On those who believe that security forces have been overly compromised in dealing with perpetrators, Obe argued that respecting human rights does not weaken security operations.
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