She added that the rights and welfare of citizens in Nigeria must be guaranteed in order to foster national development.
A United Kingdom-based human rights lawyer, Dr Cynthia Umezulike, has called on Nigeria’s next President to pay more attention to the fight against poverty, health, gender equality, working conditions, climate change and the role of private actors.
She added that the rights and welfare of citizens in Nigeria must be guaranteed in order to foster national development.
Speaking at the Women’s Parliament, Cambridge Council Chamber United Kingdom, Umezulike, also a law lecturer, called on the country’s next leader to ensure that citizens’ rights are sacrosanct and protected across the spectrum, adding that only then can peace and development occur in the country.
According to the Director of Human Rights Programmes, who had consulted for international organisations including Amnesty, “No nation can move forward when government impedes and violates their fundamental right to life, right to private and family life and right not to be treated in an inhuman and degrading manner.”
She added, "One of the best ways that the next administration can solve the many problems in Nigeria is to recognise the intrinsic connection between sustainable development and human rights and prioritise the fight against poverty, health, gender equality, working conditions, climate change and the role of private actors.
"Once human rights are respected, citizens will have the vivacity and freedom to contribute towards national development. At the end of the day, it is Nigeria that will be better for it."
Speaking further, Umezulike, who earlier bagged a Bachelor's in Law from the Igbinedion University Okada, a Master's in Human Rights Law from Queen Mary University of London; and a second Master's in International Law and Criminal Justice from the University of East London, called on state and local governments across the country to work closely with the Nigerian government to ensure that the rights and welfare of citizens were protected and given priority at all times.
She added, "The job is not just for the central government alone to do, the state and local government authorities also have huge roles to play in ensuring that the rights and welfare of citizens receive priority.
"On my own, I will continue grass-root activism, campaigning and advocacy while working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that these guranteed constitutional rights of Nigerians are respected by government at all tiers in a bid to foster national development."
Under President Muhammadu Buhari's administration, human rights abuse and poor welfare of citizens have been major issues especially with state agents clamping down on Nigerians demanding better living conditions.
Despite denials of wrongdoings by the regime, international organisations including Amnesty International have often knocked Buhari's administration of constantly abusing the rights of citizens.
Ahead of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Peter Obi of Labour Party, Atiku Abubakar of Peoples Democratic Party and Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress have emerged frontline candidates to succeed President Buhari in office.
The presidential election is scheduled for February 25, 2023 with 18 candidates cleared for the contest by the Independent National Electoral Commission.