The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to address the needs of poor and vulnerable Nigerians in 2024 while tackling critical economic and security challenges.
At a press conference yesterday in Abuja, CHRICED’s executive director, comrade Ibrahim Zikirullahi, proposed empowering Nigeria’s 774 local government areas as a catalyst for economic recovery and industrial growth.
“The government must establish clear structures for social protection and move away from politically motivated handouts disguised as poverty alleviation programs,” he said.
The organisation criticised the significant wage gap between political officeholders and civil servants, labelling it unfair and unsustainable. While Senators reportedly earn N31 million monthly, many civil servants survive on as little as N70,000.
“This disparity is grossly inequitable, leaving hardworking Nigerians unable to make ends meet while politicians benefit disproportionately from public resources,” Zikirullahi added.
CHRICED also emphasised the importance of maintaining a multiparty political system to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.
The group urged the government to promote political diversity and uphold citizens’ rights to participate in the political process.
In addition, the group called for sweeping reforms in the judiciary and police to combat corruption and strengthen the integrity of these institutions.
“Justice is the backbone of any thriving democracy, and President Tinubu has a chance to establish a lasting legacy by reforming the judiciary,” he said.
CHRICED also highlighted the need to overhaul the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure credible elections and reduce violence.
The group condemned the government’s inability to address the country’s growing insecurity, citing insurgency in the Northeast, banditry in the Northwest, militia violence in the Southeast, and rising organised crime in the Southwest.
Zikirullahi expressed concern over the economic toll of insecurity, referencing a National Bureau of Statistics report that revealed over two million kidnapping incidents between May 2023 and April 2024, with ransoms amounting to N2.2 trillion.
“Attacks on critical infrastructure, such as power lines, have further disrupted lives and businesses, with power outages lasting weeks in the northern region,” he noted.
The organisation called on civil society groups to intensify efforts to hold political officeholders accountable while urging the government to protect fundamental rights, including freedom of assembly and expression.
Zikirullahi said, “The government has no excuse for failing to secure lives and property, as mandated by the Nigerian Constitution. It must prioritise the welfare and security of its citizens to restore public trust and confidence in its leadership.”
