The organisations, which said they are registered participants in the summit, declared that while they support genuine efforts to rebuild Nigeria, they would resist any attempt to transform civil society into an extension of government.
A coalition of three civil society organisations has cautioned against what it described as the growing co-option of civic groups by political authorities, insisting that civil society exists to hold governments accountable rather than legitimise official actions.
The coalition made of Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organization (GAFAMORG), National Coalition Against Mass Killings, Extra-Judicial Killings, Mob Actions and Impunity (NCAMKI), and the National Democratic Security Reform Coalition (NDSRC), made their position known in a joint statement issued ahead of the Southern and National Civil Society Organisations Summit 2026.
The organisations, which said they are registered participants in the summit, declared that while they support genuine efforts to rebuild Nigeria, they would resist any attempt to transform civil society into an extension of government.
The statement, titled "Nigeria First Must Not Become Government First: Civil Society Was Created to Speak for the People – Not to Decorate Power," warned that civic organisations must remain independent voices for ordinary Nigerians.