HUNGER PROTESTS: Rights Group Urges Caution, Joins Government to protect protesters

On the heels of the hunger protests by some Nigerians from 1st August, 2024, a foremost civil rights group in Nigeria, the Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), has enjoined the Nigerian Government to protect the rights of the protesters while urging protesters to exercise caution and act within the ambit of the Laws and the Constitution.

The group made the call through a Press Release signed by its Director, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, and Secretary, Barr. Christopher Ekpo, on Tuesday, 30th July, 2024, in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital, and made available to newsmen.

The CHRAN called on Government to provide adequate security for the protesters in order to ensure that their rights as enshrined in Chapter IV, particularly in Sections 39, 40 and 41, of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) are not violated during the protests.

The Center urged the would-be protesters to exercise their rights responsibly within the ambit of the Laws and the Constitution with a view to ensuring that public safety, public order, public morality, public health, national defence, and the rights and freedoms of other persons are not violated, as enshrined in section 45(1)(a) and (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

The Center underscored the importance of protecting citizens’ rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and freedom of movement, which are constitutionally guaranteed rights of Nigerians and equally drew attention to the derogations to those rights enshrined in section 45(1)(a) and (b) of the Constitution.

The CHRAN urged the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to ensure that their operatives deployed during the protests exhibit civility and  international best practices.

The CHRAN commended the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, for acknowledging the constitutional right of Nigerians to protest, adding that the Police Establishments Act mandates the police to provide adequate security for protesters and ensure their safety during exercise. 

The group called on the  Nigerian Government to listen to the lamentations of Nigerians, including the protesters, in the face of excruciating economic hardship, and take urgent, deliberate actions to offer redress.

CSO Applauds Akwa Ibom Governor for Effective Distribution of Palliatives

 

The Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), a prominent civil rights organization in Nigeria, has commended Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for the fair distribution of palliatives throughout the state to mitigate the economic impact of the fuel subsidy withdrawal.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, by its Director, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, and Secretary, Barr. Christopher Ekpo, CHRAN expressed satisfaction with the distribution of palliative rice and garri provided by the Federal Government of Nigeria and supplemented by the Akwa Ibom State Government.

CHRAN highlighted that two weeks prior, the state had received 24,000 bags of 25-kilogram rice from the Federal Government, which the state government matched with an additional 24,000 bags, totaling 48,000 bags of rice.

The organization confirmed that these palliatives were distributed to 2,282 gazetted villages in Akwa Ibom State, with each village receiving 20 bags of rice and 2 bags of garri. The Transition Committee Chairmen of the 31 Local Government Councils oversaw the delivery and distribution of the palliatives to the villages within their jurisdictions.

CHRAN noted that the distribution process, which began on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Uyo Federal Constituency and concluded on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Oron Federal Constituency, was closely monitored by CHRAN and security agencies. 

The exercise was coordinated by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. (Mrs.) Offiong Offor, and proceeded without issues. CHRAN added that persons with disabilities, security agencies, non-indigenes, and various other groups also received the palliative items.

Mkpat Enin Urban boils Over Councillorship Crisis in Akwa Ibom

 

 

By Freshgist 

Mkpat Enin Urban is in turmoil as Traditional Elders, Women, and Youth from Ukpum Minya INEC Ward 4 and AKISEC Ward 5 vehemently oppose the imposition of a councillorship candidate by the People's Democratic Party (PDP), calling the action unfair.

The youth president of Ukpum Minya INEC Ward 4 AKISEC Ward 5, which includes the villages of Mkpat Enin, Ikot Abasi Ufon, Nung Ukim 3, Ikot Akpe, and Ikot Obio Akwa, disclosed to our correspondent on Thursday that the councillorship position was originally zoned to Ikot Obio Akwa village. A mock election held in the ward had declared Mr. Victor Markson the winner.

Discontent grew when Honorable Uwem Peter Imoh-Ita, representing Mkpat Enin state constituency, allegedly decided to replace Victor Markson with Chinenye Isaac, a non-indigenous woman, without following due consultation. This action, according to local leaders, goes against the directives of the state governor regarding the councillorship election process.

The community insists that the mock election results, which saw Comrade Victor Markson defeating Isaac Simon and Mfreke Donald, should be honored. They were shocked when Chinenye Isaac, who was not a contestant and is not recognized by the ward, was announced as the chosen candidate.

"Chinenye does not even have a voter’s card registered in this ward. Her only connection here is her relationship with a local resident," the ward president remarked.

Also speaking, Mrs. Blessing Anthony Ekerete, the woman leader of Mboho Mkparawa Idung Ition, expressed her surprise at the alteration of the mock election results. She called for immediate intervention from stakeholders and the state governor.

"We don't know Chinenye. We want Comrade Victor Markson, who won the mock election, to be our councilor. I urge our stakeholders and Governor Umo Eno to intervene promptly as the election is tomorrow," she stated.

On his part, Elder Etefia Johny commended Governor Umo Eno for his commitment to inclusive governance and urged the community to remain calm. He assured the youth that the governor and the party would address their concerns, maintaining that the mock election results are valid and should be respected.

The community has warned that failure to honor the mock election outcome could lead to a serious Crises in the forthcoming election, as Ukpum Minya INEC Ward 4 AKISEC Ward 5, located in Mkpat Enin Urban, remains a politically sensitive area.