The National Human Rights Commission says, it has played a fundamental role in advancing Nigeria’s democracy, by developing programs aimed at integrating human rights into the electoral process.
Executive Secretary of the Commission Mr. Tony Ojukwu, made the indication, during a national consultation on the rule of law, enforcement and security agencies, in protecting voter access and participation during elections, held in Kano.
According to him, the right to participate in the governance process, including the right to vote and to stand for elections is central to democracy, which paved way for NHRC to support democratic institutions and election management bodies, to deliver on their mandates.
“A human rights based approach to the 2023 elections in Nigeria will involve the election management body, political parties, law enforcement and security agencies, media and civil society organizations, all playing cardinal roles in ensuring that human rights principles and obligations are central to the elections”.
The executive secretary pointed out that the role of security and law enforcement agencies, in protecting voters access and ensuring full participation of citizens in election, can never be over emphasized.
Mr. Tony highlighted that, the stakeholders invited for the forum is a clear indication of the National Human Rights Commission ‘s vision, of a law enforcement and national security architecture, that understands the place of human rights, in Nigeria’s democracy.
He said, the national consultation is an avenue to advocate for accountability measures, to be put in place to check excesses of the few elements that would go outside the protocols and principles, guiding the operations of law enforcement agencies.
The NHRC boss maintained that the Commission would not relent in its efforts, of deploying its protective mandate in putting in place accountability platforms, that would bring to justice any law enforcement or security agent, who commits any violation of human rights in the course of election operations.
“The 2023 election is a significant milestone, in our journey towards consolidating our democracy.The commission is hopeful that the 2023 elections will be a coming-of-age for Nigeria, as it emerges as a model for free, fair and credible elections in Africa”
Also speaking, the Publicity Secretary Nigerian Bar association (NBA), Kano chapter, Barrister Ibrahim Baba commended NHRC for bringing security agencies together, to ensure a hitch free general election.
Representatives from the Nigerian Police Force, NSCDC, FRSC and DSS who spoke to Radio Nigeria, Abdullahi Aliyu Labaran, Mustapha I. Attah and Benedict Terver, described the national consultation as apt.
They noted that, collaboration between security and law enforcement agencies, would go a long way in ensuring the success of the 2023 general election and reaffirmed their commitment, to work together to enable people exercise their civic responsibilities, without fear or compromise.
The event tagged: National consultation on the rule of enforcement and security agencies in protecting voter access and participation during elections: organized by NHRC, with support from Ford foundation and LEDAP, witnessed large turn out of law enforcement and security agencies, management and staff of national human rights commission (NHRC), journalists and all relevant stakeholders.
KHADIJAH ALIYU
