Operate In The Legal Principles That Uphold Democracy Adeniran Tells Nigeria's Law makers

 

Nigeria's legislators have been urged to operate in accordance with legal principles that uphold democratic values and ensure the well-being of all citizens without the imposition of detrimental policies.

Civil society organizations have condemned the manner in which the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, was removed from office. They emphasized that the principles of democracy were not adhered to during the proceedings. This assertion was made during a recent press conference held at the Ikeja Rights House, jointly organized by the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL).

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Debo Adeniran, President of the CDHR, stated that political leaders in Nigeria must uphold democratic principles and ensure that the rights of individuals are not violated in secrecy. He noted that even if the Nigerian Constitution does not explicitly provide for penalties against a Speaker in absentia, natural justice demands that a fact-finding panel be constituted to hear both parties involved.

Mr. Adeniran further remarked that "it is unjust to shave a man's hair without his consent in a democratic society." He implored Nigerians to uphold due process and eliminate bad policies from the nation's political landscape.

Additionally, he appealed to the Nigerian government to address the escalating costs of goods and services in the market, which have become unaffordable for many citizens. He lamented the closure of numerous shops and called for the establishment of a national food bank to provide low-cost food items for the less privileged, similar to initiatives undertaken by the Lagos State government.

Mr. Adeniran also urged the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to investigate media organizations that exploit their employees by making them trade with their identity cards without paying salaries. He insisted that if the NUJ fails to protect the interests of journalists, it would render registration with the union meaningless. He further criticized media employers who, despite claiming financial incapacity, receive substantial government contracts and advertisements.

In his concluding remarks, Mr. Adeniran called for the removal of known criminals from decent communities and their relocation to industrial villages. He advocated for jobless individuals to be granted allowances to afford three meals a day, stressing that while luxury is unnecessary, basic sustenance must be accessible.

He emphasized the need for all stakeholders to insist on doing what is right to foster a just and equitable society in Nigeria.