By Progress Godfrey, Abuja
Head of Diplomatic Missions, International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) Nigeria, Dr Duru Hezekiah, has urged President Mohammadu Buhari to ensure adequate security of lives in the forthcoming general elections.
Dr Hezekiah made the call while addressing journalists in Abuja On Saturday, stating that against alleged plans to scuttle the 2023 general elections, government should provide adequate security and ensure that elections slated for February 25 and March 11 are held.
He applauded the monetary policy by the Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN), but lamented the sufferings faced by the Nigerian masses at the grassroots as a result of the currency scarcity.
He, therefore, asked government to intervene and make the currency available to ameliorate the effects of the policy on the poor masses, stating that every policy that affects the livelihood of citizens should be revisited.
He said, “The grassroots are the ones suffering it, some of them don’t go to banks. People don’t eat anymore, anyone that holds N100 is a millionaire. Government should find a way to make this policy work so that the poor masses can have access to good food, and have access to livelihood. That is our advice to government.
“We have heard from quarters where people said that the election will not hold. We want to appeal to government, let them put enough security on ground and ensure the elections are held.
“There should be no rigging. We have heard from our president that there is going to be a credible election.”
In his speech titled “2023 General Elections: State of the Nation as the Role of the Electorates, Dr Hezekiah worried that Nigeria was being run by a cartel of self-serving elites, noting that the Nigerian state was centralised but weak.
According to him, it was a truism that everything had broken down and the country had become one big emergency national hospital with full occupancy.
“Our hearts are broken. Our family dreams are broken. Homes are broken. Churches, mosques, and infrastructure are broken. Our educational system is broken. Our children’s lives and futures are broken. Our politics is broken. Our economy is broken. Our energy is broken. Our security system is broken. Our roads and rails are broken.
“Only corruption is alive and well. Nigerians can no longer recognise their country which has been battered and buffeted by men and women from the dark womb of time,” he bemoaned.
He further appealed to Nigerians not to entertain or give energy to unnecessary confrontation but rise to cast their votes in the 2023 general elections.
“It’s time to decide on another leader for our dear nation. We simply cannot fold our hands but need to fight for a country that works for everyone through our votes”.
Also, Dr Hekeiah commended Nigeria’s electoral umpire; the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and expressed optimism that its preparedness and honesty would guarantee free, fair, credible and safe elections.
