2023: Attacks On INEC Facilities, Threat To Citizens – Rights Commission

The National Human Rights Commission in Nigeria, (NHRC), has lamented that the incessant attacks on facilities of Nigeria’s Electoral umpire is a major threat to the fundamental rights of citizens to exercise their franchise.

This statement was made at it’s first monthly review meeting in Abuja, the nation’s capital which was aimed at updating the society on assessment of citizens’ participation in the forth coming General Election tagged, ‘Mobilizing Voters for Elections (MOVE).’

MOVE is an election initiative championed by the National Human Rights Commission.

It is a multifaceted and multi dimensional programme that seeks to facilitate access to Permanent voters card, (PVC), and promote participation of eligible voters as well as, mobilize and build partnerships with electoral stakeholders.

A Senior Human Rights Advisor to the Rights Commission, Mr. Hillary Ogbonna said, the commission in its engagement with the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) in 28 states observed that, elections are the foundations of every democracy and there can be no democracy without human rights.

He said, “Elections are foundations which human rights can be excercized in order to enthrone new government.”

While condemning the attacks on INEC offices Mr. Ogbonna called on Nigerian government to do the needful in addressing the situation.

Mr. Ogbonna commended INEC for improving on PVC collection in some states of the federation, but expressed concern on the low turn out of PVC collection reported in Jigawa, Ekiti, Plateau, Akwa-Ibom and Rivers State.

He said, “NHRC commends INEC for the process it has put in place in the collection of PVC. We look forward to continuosly working with INEC in this process to ensure that the right to vote , to dignity and also, participation to election continues to be maintained.”

Hate Speech

The Senior Human Rights Advisor announced that, the Human Rights Commission has received 12 complaints within the last one month from its hate speech register.

The hate speech, he noted, were targeted at contestants, “especially Presidential Candidates, individuals, regional and tribal groups.”

Mr. Ogbonna appealed to Nigerians to understand that, hate speech against any one is a violation of human rights adding that the commission will do everything possible to bring to account any perpetrator.

He promised that the monthly review will continue to hold to update Nigerians towards mobilizing Voters for Elections (MOVE).

“We want to promote participation, facilitate access to PVC, Mobilize people to vote and Protect the vote.”

He Identified killing of the woman leader of a political party in Kaura LGA as undemocratic urging government to investigate the matter.

Mr Ogbonna called on political candidates to mainstream Human Rights into their blue prints and guard their utterances.

He called for security in political rallies and campaigns and where security is breached the commission will call for accountability.

Olusola Akintonde