2nd February, 2023
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has conducted a town hall meeting with gubernatorial candidates on human rights issues and the 2023 election in Kano State.
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Mr Tony Ojukwu, who spoke at the meeting on Wednesday, said NHRC had the mandate to promote and protect the human rights of every person in Nigeria.
Ojukwu, represented by Mrs Rosemary Igboyi, Director of the Women and Children Department NHRC, said the right to participate in the governance process, including voting and standing for elections, was central to a democracy.
“It is in line with the human rights provisions under the Constitution, enactments of the National and State Assemblies and treaties and conventions signed by Nigeria.
“This principle is emphasised by Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Section 14(2)c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
“Elections are germane in creating an enabling environment for the fulfilment of human rights.
“It has been recognised by the United Nations that the right to vote and be elected is interwoven with the enjoyment of a plethora of other key human rights,” he said.
The NHRC boss explained that the rights included freedom of association, right to peaceful assembly, right to freedom of movement, right to freedom of information and the right to freedom of opinion expression.
He noted that elections should be a time of critical national self-reflection on the commitment to the social contract of democracy and the achievement of human rights.
NAN