The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights
Commission (NHRC) Bukhari Bello, has called on politicians to pay more
attention to the welfare of Nigerians.
Speaking at a press conference to mark the 56th
anniversary of the universal declaration of human rights in Abuja, Bello
said politicians must strive for a new Nigeria founded on democratic values,
social justice, freedoms and fundamental human rights of all.
�We however observe with dismay the recklessness with
which politicians flagrantly abuse the rule of law in preference to
violence.
�The spectre of violence including murder, assassination,
intimidation, kidnap and wanton destruction of lives and property constitute
a failure on the part of the political class and remain a serious challenge
to Nigeria�s democracy,�� he said.
According to him, another fundamental issue is good
governance, which insists on transparency and accountability on elected and
public office holders.
Bello said Nigerians must demand and receive transparency
and accountability of the nation�s resources appropriated for various
projects from those in government at the federal, states and local level.
�This is a serious deficit in good governance in Nigeria.
Section 308 of the constitution which deals with the restriction on criminal
or civil proceedings on certain public office holders needs to be deleted
from the constitution,�� he said.
He said that the section was against the letter and
spirit of the constitution, morality, equity and good conscience.
�In the meantime we call upon the judiciary to make a
progressive and activist interpretation of the said section in conformity
with the letter and spirit of the constitution,�� he added.
Bello said that politics was about improvement in the
welfare of the citizenry, adding that, �Atimes one wonders whether we are
operating democracy or kletocracy��.
Earlier, the minister of information and national
orientation, represented by Mrs Nancy Oghenekaro from the ministry, praised
the NHRC for its efforts aimed at ensuring that the child rights bill was
passed into law.
She urged children to remember that for every right there
must be a corresponding responsibility or duty.
The occasion featured drama presentation, finals of quiz competition and
presentation of prizes to winners from selected secondary schools in the
country.
