The National Human Rights Commission(NHRC) has conducted townhall meeting with gubernatorial candidate on human rights issues and 2023 election in Kano state.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Tony Ojukwu, who spoke at the meeting on Wednesday, said NHRC has the mandate to promote and protect human rights of every person in Nigeria.
Ojukwu represented by Mrs Rosemary Igboyi, Director incharge of Women and Children Department NHRC said the right to participate in the governance process, including voting and standing for elections, is 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 acceded to by Nigeria.
“This principle is emphasized 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 recognized 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 right include right to 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 our commitment to the social contract of democracy and the achievement of human rights.
“NHRC and United Nations systems are gate keepers of human rights, political parties and candidates contesting the presidential and gubernatorial election as our future leaders to discuss the place of human rights in our democracy.
Ojukwu urged political parties as elections is approaching should focus on issues and present Nigerian with choice that bothers on what they will do to achieve the basic human rights of citizen.
On her part, the Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Hajiya Bilkisu Ibrahim, advised the guber candidates to be transparent and more concern on child right and gender base violence act.
Radio Nigeria reports that nine gubernatorial aspirants attended the meeting which included: All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr.Nasiru Gawuna,represented by Director campaign, Engr. Rabiu Suleiman-Bichi, People’s Democratic Party (PDP)Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Abacha.
Other political parties are NNPP, AAC, APM, ADC,PRP, NRM and BOOQ Party.
The gubernatorial candidates all presented their manifesto and plan to focus on health, education, rule of law , security, enabling environment, electricity, and water supply.
