A coalition of civic groups in Niger State has petitioned the United States government, calling for a visa ban and asset freeze on Governor Umar Mohammed Bago over what it describes as a “persistent pattern of human rights violations, abuse of power, and total disregard for democratic principles.”
The petition, submitted to the U.S. Secretary of State, was issued by a group identifying itself as Concerned Citizens and Defenders of Democracy in Niger State. It accuses Governor Bago of systematically weaponising state power to suppress dissent, even as insecurity continues to escalate across the region.
The group cites several incidents it says amount to state-sponsored repression, including the arrest of Isah “Mokwa” Abubakar, a postgraduate student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBUL), who was detained on cybercrime allegations shortly after criticising the governor online.
Rights activists have condemned the arrest as politically motivated.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar also criticised Mokwa’s detention, describing it as “a dangerous sign of how far our country has descended into intolerance and repression.”
Amnesty International weighed in as well, stating plainly that “criticising a president or a governor is not a crime.”
The petition further highlights a new directive by Governor Bago’s administration requiring religious preachers to submit sermons for government vetting before delivering them publicly.
Although the governor insists the measure is a security safeguard rather than a restriction on religious freedom, the move has sparked nationwide debate.
“I didn’t ban evangelism,” Bago said, defending the policy.
“For everyone going to sermon on Friday, he should bring his scriptures for review, and it’s normal. Even in Saudi Arabia, this is done.”
He added that preachers must not deliver messages that are “anti-people, anti-government … and think it’s normal.”
The governor confirmed that the DSS, police, NSCDC, and the military would all participate in monitoring sermons under a new licensing scheme managed by the state’s Religious Affairs Bureau. All preachers, he said, must obtain a government licence and undergo screening within two months.
The petitioners are urging Washington to impose travel restrictions on Governor Bago and his immediate family, and to freeze any U.S.-based assets “pending independent investigation into alleged misappropriation of public funds.”
They say sanctions should remain in place until:
- all political detainees—including Mokwa—are released unconditionally,
- court orders are respected, and
- verifiable reforms are implemented in education, healthcare, and security sectors.
In their appeal, the coalition warned that without international intervention, Bago’s administration will be remembered not only for worsening insecurity but also for the erosion of civil liberties and democratic norms in Niger State.