NHRC Executive Secretary Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN
… Advices citizens to remain law abiding
In the face of existing threats, hate speech and incitements, insecurity and violence which are trailing the just concluded 2023 general elections, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on Nigerians to remain peaceful, calm and law abiding.
The Executive Secretary of the commission, Tony Ojukwu (SAN) made the call, Monday at the monthly review of the MOVE Project of NHRC in Abuja.
NHRC scribe who thanks the media for their coverage, and other partners and sponsors for their continued support to the Commission decried the violence and hate speech which took over the political land scale especially during the month of March.However, the commission condemned the speed to which the government recently sanctioned some media organizations over complaints made by political parties.
NHRC’s Project Coordinator, Hilary Ogbonna who presented the commission’s findings said, it was wrong, the speed with which sanctions were imposed on some a television stations just five days after a complaints were made through a petition, adding that such quick action was capable of sending wrong signal to the public and international community that thorough investigation was not carried out.
According to him, the NHRC is not questioning the right of sister government agencies to carry out their statutory responsibilities but said caution should be exercised when petitions written by politically exposed persons are involved.
He said as the National Human Rights Commission in Nigeria, it is expedient to advise sister government agencies to promote human rights in the country rather than impede rights of citizens.
Ogbonnaya advised that due to the crucial roles media play in the society, sanction should be the last resort when it concerns the sector.
The commission noted that 88 lives were loss during the presidential and National Assembly, as well as the governorship and state assembly elections.
