Thursday, 28th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

2023: Defend right on rallies, freedom of expression, SERAP urges Buhari, 36 govs

By Silver Nwokoro
10 October 2022   |   3:46 am
Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and 36 state governors to publicly instruct the police and other security agencies

Muhammadu Buhari

Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and 36 state governors to publicly instruct the police and other security agencies to respect, protect and facilitate the rights of Nigerians to freedom of expression, assembly, association and equal participation during election campaigns.

SERAP also urged Buhari to instruct the police to facilitate the right of every citizen to participate on an equal basis in the political process, in any part of the country, and ensure that state governors do not use the police to target supporters of opposition parties and those who hold different political views.

This followed reports of an attack on supporters of Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

According to reports, some supporters of Obi were attacked during a recent independence rally in Lagos State.

Also, the police in Ebonyi State recently dispersed hundreds of supporters of Obi, who had gathered for a rally in Abakaliki, drawing the condemnation of the presidential candidate.

In a letter dated October 8, 2022, and signed by SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation condemned attacks on supporters of any candidate.

SERAP said: “Respecting, protecting and facilitating equal enjoyment of the rights of everyone to speak, assemble, hold rallies, processions or meetings would ensure that the individual citizen can effectively participate in and contribute to the country’s democracy.

“These rights cannot be denied or abridged on account of differing political views or affiliations.”

The letter reads in part: “Authorities must promptly, thoroughly, independently, impartially and effectively investigate the reports of any violations of these rights, and bring suspected perpetrators, including non-state actors, to justice. The victims must be provided access to justice and effective remedies.”

“Candidates and political parties and their supporters should be allowed to hold rallies, processions or meetings on an equal basis, and free of intimidation, harassment or threat of attack.

“Section 14(2)(c) of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) provides that ‘the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.’

“Section 91(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 provides that the Commissioner of Police of each State ‘shall provide adequate security for proper and peaceful conduct of political rallies and processions in their respective jurisdictions.’

“Section 91(4) provides that ‘No political party in Nigeria, its candidates (and supporters) shall be prevented from holding rallies, processions or meetings at any time for their constitutional political purposes.’”

0 Comments