Nigeria: Current treatment of Campaign for Democracy (CD) members and supporters in Nigeria
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1998 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | NGA30521.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nigeria: Current treatment of Campaign for Democracy (CD) members and supporters in Nigeria, 1 November 1998, NGA30521.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aba50.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The Chairman of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti was the first political prisoner to be released by the government of President Abdulsalam Abubakar after spending three years in military confinement (The Guardian 13 July 1998). However, a Radio Kudirat report of 9 July 1998, states that Nigerian Security Service (NSS) agents "illegally" seized Dr. Beko Ransone-Kuti's passport at Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Dr. Beko was reportely on his way to the United States to receive medical treatment. This information could not be corroborated by sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
Other reports indicate that the CD is actively campaigning for democracy. In a 29 June 1998 Post Express report, the CD expressed gratitude for the release of Dr. Frederick Fasehun, its national coordinator and appealed to the Head of State to release the remaining prisoners and to "step up dialogue with the opposition camps ... as a way of resolving the nation's political impasse. In another report, the CD reportedly rejected the new transition programme and allegedly "accused the Head of State of gross insensitivity to the mood of the nation" (ibid. 24 July 1998).
According to The Guardian, most pro-democracy campaigners were "alarmed" by tribal divisions that surfaced in July 1998, and Dr. Ransome-Kuti, among others, is unlikely to join political parties (13 July 1998).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see the list of additional sources consulted in researching this information request.
References
The Guardian [London]. 13 July 1998. Alex Duval Smith. "Nigerians Plan Action if Military Reneges." (NEXIS)
Post Express. 24 July 1998. Adenyi Ojebisi. "CD's Gani's Group Reject New Transition Programme." [Internet]
_____. 29 June 1998. "CD Commends Abubakar." [Accessed 18 Nov. 1998].
Radio Kudirat Nigeria [in English]. 6 July 1998. "Security Agents Bar Activist from Leaving the Country" (BBC Summary 9 July 1998/NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
Africa Confidential [London]. June-September 1998. Vol. 39. Nos. 13-18.
Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. June-September 1998. Nos. 6-9.
West Africa [London]. June-September 1998. Nos. 4192-4195.
