In this open letter, Citizens Rights Concern Enhancement Initiative (CRCEI), a Nongovernmental organisation leading the pace in defense of human rights, passionately called on President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, including the 36 states governors, the Chairmen of the 774 local government areas, and the minister of FCT, Abuja, to pay urgent attention to the lamentations resulting from acute hardship, starvation and poverty.
CRCEI vowed to take legal action against the Nigerian government if urgent and decisive action was not taken to make good governance practicable as enshrined in the 1999 constitution (as amended) and address the hardship and starvation besetting the country.
The open letter was jointly signed by Comrade Edewor Egedegbe, Chairman, Board of trustee (BOT), Citizens Rights Concern Enhancement Initiative (CRCEI) and Jessa Cynthia Esq., Secretary BOT/Legal Adviser, CRCEI, and made available to Journalists.
THE LETTER READS;
“Our organisation is known and addressed as the Citizens Rights Concern Enhancement Initiative, CRCEI, also known as Human Rights Protection Congress, a non-governmental and non-political organisation.
“It is a conglomerate of human rights organizations across social divides with the vision of a Nigeria where rights and responsibilities of citizens are respected, irrespective of tribes, religion or political affiliations amongst others.
“Our Mission is to enhance citizens’ capacity through training/public enlightenment, and work with critical stakeholders to ensure probity, rule of law and accountability in the society. And our Values traverse Diligence, Courage and Discipline.”
“This open demand letter is premised on the scorching hunger, bad government, and worsening insecurity currently bedevilling the citizens of Nigeria. We are aware of planned nationwide protest being organized by citizens of Nigeria billed for Thursday 1st to Saturday 10th August, 2024.
“The world over, protest has a constitutional foundation and it is one of the ways of expressing displeasure or objection to vexing issues, policies or actions of government. It is also a medium through which people ‘voice’ their concerns, create awareness or push for positive change.”
The letter further stated, “There is no gainsaying the fact that the severe economic hardship and worsening insecurity that the citizens are experiencing currently are the naughty issues being advanced as reasons for the protest.
“However, we are all aware that protest can take different dimensions as witnessed during the “END SARS PROTEST” when hoodlums infiltrated the protesters and wreaked serious havoc on the polity that led to loss of many lives and properties.
“Our experience of the past depicts a situation where innocent citizens suffer the consequences of civil disobedience as this looming one.”
The letter added, “Taking cognizance of the volatile nature of protests in Nigeria, which can be hijacked by miscreants and cause harm, we are using this medium to call on President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the governors of the 36 states, including the Chairmen of the 774 LGAs, and the Minister of the FCT, Abuja, to act in line with the provision of Chapter 2 of the 1999 constitution (as amended) which provides for the Fundamental Obligation of Government, particularly sections 13, 14 (2) and 16.
For purpose of clarity, Section 13 states: “It shall be the duty and responsibility of all organs of government, and of all authorities and persons, exercising legislative, executive or judicial powers, to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of this Chapter of this Constitution’’.
“Section 14, subsections (1), (2a-b), (3) and (4) state that:
(1) The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice;
(2) It is hereby, accordingly, declared that – (a) Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and Authority; (b) The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government; (c) The participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution;
(3) The State shall foster a feeling of belonging and of involvement among the various people of the Federation, to the end that loyalty to the nation shall override sectional loyalties;
(4) The State shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.”
“Section 16 states that:
() The State shall, within the context of the ideals and objectives for which provisions are made in this Constitution-
(a) Harness the resources of the nation and promote national Prosperity and an efficient, a dynamic and self-reliant economy;
(b) Control the national economy in such manner as to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice and equality of status and opportunity;
(c) Without prejudice to its right to operate or participate in areas of the economy, other than the major sectors of the economy, manage and operate the major sectors of the economy;
(d) Without prejudice to the right of any person to participate in areas of the economy within the major sectors of the economy, protect the right of every citizen to engage in any economic activities outside the major sectors of the economy;
(2) The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring-
(a) The promotion of a planned and balanced economic development;
(b) That the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good;
(c) That the economic system is not operated in such a manner as to permit the concentration of wealth or the means of production and exchange in the hands of few individuals or of a group; and
(d) That suitable and adequate shelter, right to food and food security, reasonable national minimum living wage, old age care and pensions, and unemployment, sick benefits and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens.”
The letter further added, “In a nutshell, every citizens has the fundamental right to food and food security, its an entitlement. And the welfare and security of the citizens shall be the primary purpose of government. These are fundamental principles government at all level should adhere to.” “It is against this backdrop we are calling on the president, governors of the 36 states and the minister of the FCT, Abuja, Nigeria, to critically look into the plight and cry of her citizens for good governance and implement good policy that is beneficial to all.”
The letter added, “TAKE NOTICE THAT we demand that the president, governors of the 36 states, the chairmen of the 774 LGAs, and the minister of the FCT, Abuja, Nigeria stick to the provision of the constitution cited above and take all necessary steps in line with the constitution to bring our dear nation back to the path of peace, security, prosperity and most importantly put an end to hunger ravaging the citizens of Nigeria:
“TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that if this demand is not met within one month of publishing this open letter and the cry of citizens of Nigerian for good governance and implementation of good policy that are beneficial to citizens is not listened to, we would have no option but to approach the court to interpret the sections cited above and ensure timely enforcement of same.”
