CSOs task Jonathan, Buhari on specific roadmap for graft, others

CONCERNED that the campaigns of President Goodluck Jonathan, General Muhammadu Buhari and all other candidates seeking political office at the 2015 general  elections have been devoid of specific action plan to tackle human rights challenges, three hundred and three (303) Civil Society Organisations (CSO) Sunday called on them to unfold specific policies and action plan if any.

The CSOs also want them to unveil definite action plan they intend to adopt in addressing other numerous chall‎enges confronting the country. 

The CSOs made this call under the aegis of Human Rights Agenda Network (HRAN) vide an open letter signed by the coordinator of the Network, Melissa Omene and addressed to Jonathan, Buhari and other elective office seekers.

The Network called on the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress to “speak directly to Nigerians in respect of the following prevailing livelihood and human rights issues to enable  Nigerians to vote based on concrete agendas.‎”

HRAN asked the candidates “to explain in detail how they intend to tackle the issue of corruption in the private and public spheres in Nigeria.”

The statement reads:  “HRAN being a network of over 303 registered members who are Non-Governmental Organisations and human rights activists across Nigeria, issues this open letter due to concerns that key human rights and livelihood issues have not been addressed by the presidential, gubernatorial and other political candidates during the lead up to the 2015 general elections. 

“Democracy demands that politicians set concrete agenda upon which the electorate can select a suitable leader who can be held accountable using the concrete‎.”

 It asked them to tell Nigerians how they would tackle youth unemployment saying,  “today, 80% of youths are reportedly unemployed or under-employed. Explain your strategy for tackling the issue of youth unemployment with particular reference to the empowerment of young girls.”