LAGOS/Nigeria: The Campaign for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, had condemned the deaths that are occurring during campaign rallies in the country.
The CDHR in a statement signed by its National President, Malachy Ugwummadu Esq, making reference to the incident that occurred in Port Harcourt, during the All Progressive Congress, Presidential Rally, the incident involving road transport workers in lagos, called for action, as it stated that the reported cases are disturbing, as they infringe on the fundamental human rights of Nigerians, as stated in the constitution.
The CDHR said its alarmed by the spate of avoidable deaths caused due to stampedes occurring during election campaign rallies organised by political parties in the days leading to the 2019 general elections.
“It must be recalled that several people have been killed in a stampede on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 during a political campaign rally organised by the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), which took place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. In the same vein, on January 8, 2019 violent clashes between members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers and party supporters marred the inauguration of the campaign of the Lagos State APC gubernatorial candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in Ikeja.”
“These reported cases of violence are deeply disturbing. By virtue of the provisions of Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the fundamental human right to life of every person is protected. No election campaign is worth spilling the blood of innocent Nigerians who are expressing their support for their political candidate by simply exercising their fundamental right to assemble freely, associate with other persons and belong to any political party for the protection of their interests as provided for by Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).”
“Rather than only render apologies for these unfortunate deaths, the CDHR demands tangible attempts must be made by Government at all levels to ensure that such avoidable loss of lives does not occur in any future political campaign rally organised in Nigeria. The people deserve the right to be able to gather for such political events with peace of mind knowing that their security is taken to be of paramount importance.”
