Renew your commitment to strengthen democracy,
Ojukwu urges Nigerians
Democracy
By Edith Nwapi
Abuja, June 12, 2024 (NAN) Dr Tony Ojukwu, SAN, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on Nigerians to renew their commitment in strengthening democracy.
Ojukwu made the call in a statement to commemorate the 2024 Democracy Day and also 25 years of unbroken democracy.
He commended the resilience of Nigerians in their quest for democratic governance which according to him, has clearly manifested in the repeated elections that have taken place since the return of democracy in 1999.
The executive secretary however , decried the challenges which seems to threaten the effective democratic processes in the Country such as elections marred by violence, ballot box snatching, killings, vote buying.
” The commission will continue in our interventions in strengthen the democratic process.
” Stakeholders should join hands in doing all that is required, before, during and after elections in order to further deepen democracy in Nigeria.
“As a commission, we shall continue to play our role of monitoring democracy in Nigeria and also safeguarding the rights of eligible Nigerians to freely participate in democratic processes. I therefore urge you all to show similar enthusiasm” he said.
According to him, it is worthy to mention that the Commission in line with its mandate, monitors all elections for the purpose of ensuring that they conform to human rights standards.
He stated that a project known as the Mobilising Voters for Elections (MOVE) was put in place for awareness towards democracy.
He added that the goal is to sensitised masses on the need to exercise freely their franchise especially as it relates to right to vote.
Ojukwu further stated to be voted for as well as being involved in all electioneering processes.
” Of significant interest is the commission’s collaboration with relevant Civil Society Organizations in co-sponsoring a bill seeking enhanced participation of women in politics, elections and governance.
” Though the bill was thrown out by the 9th National Assembly, the commission is still strategizing with stakeholders to represent the same bill to the current National Assembly, hoping that the Law Makers will see reason to pass this important bill without seeing Affirmative Action to prop up women as a discrimination against the men.
” Finally, I call on Nigerians to exercise restraint, exude patience remain focused and committed to support democracy in our dear country, despite the obvious economic challenges currently bedeviling the nation” he said.
According to him, true Democracy ensures enjoyment of human rights.
“With Democracy and Good Governance, the enjoyment of Human Rights is assured.
” But without democracy, human rights will be a victim. Human rights thrives in a democratic melieu not in a conflict stricken nation or military governance or anarchy or undemocratic environment.
” May the labour of our democratic heroes not be in vain and may God help us to build a nation where no man is oppressed and may justice and human rights reign in our democracy in Nigeria” he said.
According to him the decision was to posthumously honour MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. (NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)
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edited by Sadiya Hamza
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