By Great Maduawulechukwu
The National Chairman of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights,CDHR, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana on Saturday, condemned the alleged attacks on the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC by the Kaduna State Government.
Dr. Obayuwana spoke in Warri, Delta State shortly after swearing in new executive members that will pilot the affairs of the CDHR in the State branch.
Dr. Obayuwana who was represented by the CDHR’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Henry Ekine Esq, said the alleged attacks on the NLC Leadership who were reacting to the sack of workers by the Kaduna State Government said it was unacceptable.
According to him,”For any government or any officer or any individual and any organ of government to surpress and tend to oppress or rather deny the rights of those organization or individuals from expressing their displeasure in any form, that’s acceptable and legitimate within the laws, it is not acceptable.”
Dr . Obayuwana noted that the NLC officials have the legitimate rights to register their displeasures before the government.
He said,”Any untowards action by the State Government declaring leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress,NLC and of course attacking more especially whether by themselves or by their proxies or persons who are protecting the interest of government or compromising with government or sharing solidarity with the positions of government but attacking the labour and other free citizens, we condemn it.”
“The positions of the CDHR is that it is a violation of the rights of the members of NLC, of course ,the officers and individuals themselves . We (CDHR) join in solidarity with NLC and condemn that attack on citizens of Nigeria who a members of NLC.”
Dr. Obayuwana also condemned the spate of insecurity in the country saying,”It is a violation of the rights of citizens as well as failures on the responsibilities of government.”
He said Section 14 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, emphasizes on the responsibilities of government at all levels, stressing that prime of which is security and welfare.
He argued that those who are saddled with the responsibilities of ensuring that the lives of citizens are secured do not have any excuse(s) whatsoever not to ensure maximum security anywhere and everywhere .
“The disturbing spate of killings, the disturbing spate of banditry, the disturbing spate of kidnapping, the disturbing spate of cultism, all kinds of insecurity is worrisome in Nigerian State and it is a threat to the rights of citizens of the Country.”
He said only those in government have the responsibilities of ensuring maximum security in the Country, adding that if they cannot provide adequate security for the people, they should excuse themselves or otherwise rise up to the occasion to ensure relative security and improved welfare of the citizens .
The Delta State CDHR Secretary, Comrade Israel Joe corroborated the positions of the National Chairman saying,”We don’t want to believe this school of thought that the insecurity in the nation is beyond us. What we need is quality leadership.”
Comrade Joe urged the leaders to declare a state of emergency on insecurity in the Country stating that if they cannot protect the citizens, they should resign from office.
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