The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed readiness to deployed its protective mandate to bring to justice any law enforcement or security agent that violates human rights, during the forthcoming general elections in Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu (SAN) made the assertion at National Consultation on the Role of Law Enforcement and Security Agencies in Protecting Voter Access and Participation during Elections, held in Kano.
He said the Commission has provided a National Guideline on the Role of Law Enforcement and
Security Agencies in Protecting Voter Access and Participation to all relevant stakeholders with a view to protecting human rights during the forthcoming elections exercise.
Mr. Ojukwu said “This is the first in series of the two national consultations on the Role of Law Enforcement and Security Agencies in Protecting Voter Access and Participation during Elections, organised by the Commission with the support of the Ford Foundation and the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) as part of our engagement aimed at integrating human rights into the 2023 electoral process.”
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The Executive Secretary explained that the National Human Rights Commission was established as a National Human Rights Institution with the mandate to promote and protect human rights of every person in Nigeria in line with the human rights provisions, under the Constitution, enactments of the National, State Assemblies and treaties and conventions acceded to by Nigeria.
He further explained that 2023 election is significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards consolidating its democracy.
The learned silk noted that “For instance, the election will be the first under the new Electoral Act with its unique amendments that include the deployment of new technologies during the voting process. Secondly, the election will also throw in new political leaderships at the national level and in more than 15 states.”
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He revealed that the election will come at a time when Nigeria continues to face huge human rights challenges, ranging from insecurity to weak law enforcement, poverty and inequalities.
Mr. Ojukwu stressed that “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 and enthrone a government.”
A representative of Kano State Police Command, CSP Mustapha I Attah in his remark at the event said the meeting promotes synergy in line with the aim of Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
“We also rub minds on the way forward towards having rancour free election,”
He maintained that Police were fully prepared to provide enabling environment for electorates to exercise their voting rights, without any fear or intimidation.
Similarly, a representative of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Kano Command, ACC
Nyamyume Tever Benedict assured that Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps’ personnel will not compromise its tenets, saying the Corps will conduct its activities in tandem with the best international practice.
In his address, Barrister Ibrahim Baba, Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Kano Branch said the National Consultation by National Human Rights Commission came at a better time saying no election can hold without the participation of security agencies.
He also said for an election to be free and fair the participation of security agencies is key and vital
He revealed that law has mandated security agencies to protect citizens to ensure that Voters have assess to voting arena.
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“We are optimistic that 2023 will be free, fair, credible and rancour free election. The Security agencies gathered here have the made commitments, to make us believe that they are committed and fully prepared.”
