The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has called on all Nigerians to actively engage the democratic process to get their voices heard, if democracy must be upheld.
Its Executive Director Comrade Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, made the call in Abuja during its year-end briefing, stressing that it was important for citizens to reflect on what they can do to “rescue the nation’s hard-won democracy from the brink.”
Zikirullahi expressed worry that there is an “unending assault on democracy and rule of law” stating particularly the recent invasion of the judiciary by armed men.
He said, “Friday, December 6, 2019 will go down as one of the most unfortunate days in the evolution of democracy in Nigeria. It was the day the hallowed chamber of a Federal High Court was desecrated by armed agents of the State in the name of arresting a citizen, Omoyele Sowore, who had a few hours earlier been granted bail.
“For us, that singular condemnable act catapulted Nigeria into the league of banana republics, where the rule of law, due process and separation of powers are thrown to the dogs. The tragedy of that descent to barbaric self help is that it will remain a stain on the national conscience and image”.
“CHRICED insists that those who undermined the democratic process and attacked the foundations of the rule of law as manifested in the disgraceful court-arrest drama, must be held to account and punished for these actions,” he stressed.
He also noted the profligacy in the use of public funds, saying the approval of N37 billion for renovation of the National Assembly (NASS) will only bring the country to unsustainable national debt.
“CHRICED notes that while the political elites are quick to shout about how slow the democratic process is, the same “slow” process has not stopped them from misappropriating national resources to fund frivolous priorities.
“Nigerians are all living witnesses to the obscene pension laws passed in several states, which provide hefty sums as pension for former governors and their deputies. The latest in this trend of profligate use of national resources is the approval of N37 billion for the so-called renovation of the National Assembly.
“In the same country with roads that are death traps taking the lives of citizens, and health facilities in dire need of attention, one wonders what is so special about the National Assembly to warrant a renovation of N37billion. Putting N1billion out of this amount to create jobs in each of the 36 states and FCT would have gone a long way to reduce youth unemployment and insecurity in the country.
“From the realities on ground, it is again very clear that the current crop of political elite, whether in the ruling APC or the opposition PDP, do not have what it takes to nurture our democracy and deliver good governance. The people of this country must therefore brace up for the struggles ahead in the New Year and beyond,” he stressed.
