Protest: Probe cases of rights violation, N’Delta group tells FG

The Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group has urged the Federal Government to investigate cases of human rights violations that occurred during the hunger protests which began nationwide on Thursday, August 1, 2024.

In a statement by its Chief Executive Officer, High Chief Anthony George-Hill, and a member of the Nigeria Civic Space Protection Alliance, Stiv Obodoekwe, the group emphasised the need for the government to ensure democratic freedom and safeguard the civic space.

The group issued this statement following its two-day civic space protection training in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The statement reads, “The government must promote and protect the human rights of citizens at all times. Therefore, the government should create an enabling environment for citizens to breathe and exercise their rights.

“Considering the importance of human rights and civic space to the survival of democracy, we call on the government to prioritise citizens’ interests and the protection of human rights and civic space in its agenda, policies, and actions.

“The government should take serious steps to ensure democratic freedom, the safeguarding of civic space, human rights, and the rule of law. Authorities should allow citizens to exercise their rights to freedom of expression.

“Authorities should ensure that incidents of rights violations and civic space suppression are properly investigated, and state actors found culpable should be brought to justice.”

It, however, cautioned individuals or groups calling for a regime change through the military, adding that democracy remained a better option than a minute of military rule.

“Nigeria should be a democratic model in Africa, irrespective of its ups and downs,” the statement added.

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