The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. – Section 14 (2b) of the 1999 Constitution.
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THE once booming business of promoting human rights is on serious retreat in Nigeria. It is appropriate to remember this, as elections and contests for power dominate national discourse.
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The quest for power cannot be an excuse, not even a reason for rights violations.
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A wrong assumption is made that human right abuses occur only under military regimes.
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The return to democratic rule 14 years ago has witnessed some of the worst forms of human right abuses, including in some cases, the absolute denial of right of individuals to anything, even rights the Constitution provides.
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Odi, in Bayelsa State, was reduced to rubbles in November 1999 as soldiers bombarded the place after nine policemen went missing. Zaki Biam in Benue State followed two years after. The recent illegal movement of people out of Lagos State is another version of the abuses.