The Civil Society community in Nigeria has rejected the proposed NGO regulatory bill.
At a public hearing, they insisted that the controversial bill will only serve to stifle the voice of non-governmental bodies if passed into law.
At the gathering, the civil society, non governmental organisations, faith based groups, and government bodies spoke with one voice.
They described the bill seeking to regulate the activities of civil society and non- governmental groups as repressive.
The legislators were overwhelmed by the unanimous decision.
The contentious bill seeks to establish a regulatory commission for Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs.
The Commission will be tasked with issuing licenses, renewable every two years, to NGOs.
Its sponsor believes the bill will ensure transparency and accountability in the way NGOs collect funds from donor agencies, especially in the face of increasing terrorism.
But key actors insist NGOs in Nigeria are already over regulated and that a new law will further impede the good work they do.
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