NIGER DELTA CIVIL SOCIETY COALITION (NDCSC)
THE PORT HARCOURT DECLARATION ON THE PERVADING IMPUNITY IN RIVERS STATE IN PARTICULAR AND NIGERIA IN GENERAL
INTRODUCTION
I. The Niger Delta Civil Society Coalition (NDCSC) is a non-partisan, non-profit, non-governmental coalition of critical civil society organisations drawn from across the communities of the Nine Political Niger Delta Region States, academic community, labour unions and other stakeholders, united in their vision of a just, equitable and indivisible peoples, and in the building of effective participatory democracy, good governance, social, economic and political justice, and the respect and promotion of the fundamental human rights of all citizens and residents.
II. The Coalition held a Special Roundtable at Port Harcourt, on the Theme: Defending Democracy, on June 17, 2013, during which it reviewed the on-going politically manufactured crisis in Rivers state, generated by factions in the State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and analysed its genesis and escalating character which is not only affecting the way of life of ordinary unsuspecting citizens, but their livelihoods as well. This is most evident in the continuing occupation of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council Secretariat by the State Police Command, inspite of a subsisting Court Order to the contrary; and the forced recess of members of the State House of Assembly, by reason of security threats.
DECLARATION
Preamble
Following a comprehensive review of the political crisis situation in Rivers State, NDCSC
1. Found the prevailing state of impunity in the region, especially so in Rivers state, most shattering. Noted that political elites in the region has become a class unto themselves, feeding lawlessly and carelessly at the public trough, thereby generating an open invitation for citizens to reject democracy.
2. Noted the manufactured political crisis that has its roots in the 2015 general elections
3. Noted attempts to criminalize ambition, political participation, freedom of assembly, association, thought and expression.
4. Noted that the pathology of personal rule still persists. The right to rule is ascribed to a person rather than to an office. Subordinates pay loyalty to their personal patrons, not to the laws and institutions. Prebendal governments have failed to produce quality public goods, but private goods for those who hold or have access to political power.
5. Noted with alarm the absence of any effective official opposition political parties in the state and region.
6. Noted with alarm the character of the recent convergence of ex-militants in Port Harcourt , with intent to intimidate.
7. Noted with alarm the political character of policing in the state under its present leadership, which is assuming a despotic, omnipotent disposition to intimidate, conquer and abuse rights and freedoms.
8. Noted with concern the character of the grounding of the Rivers state government owned aircraft in Ekiti State, by the federal government.
9. Noted the controversy surrounding the Nigeria Governors Forum Chairmanship election which was duly conducted and won by the governor of Rivers State.
10. Noted with concern the lack of internal democracy which is instrumental to current overheating of the state polity.
11. Noted with concern the speed of light with which the elected officials of the Obio/Akpor Local government were suspended, by the State House of Assembly.
12. Noted with concern the undeminishing level of corruption with impunity in the region by political elites.
13. Noted with concern the extreme use of language, which connotes a do or die political mentality of political elites, bearing in mind the volatile character of the state and region.
14. Noted with concern the overbearing retarding interest in Rivers state, of some neighbouring state governors and the presidency, which is threatening the relative peace and global investment interests in the state and region.
15. Noted with concern that a ‘political economy’ may have developed around the political challenges in the state, with the effect that certain elements may be deriving financial benefits from the prevailing state of near confusion, to create the impression of uncertainty and make the state ungovernable.
16. Noted with particular concern the most troubling culture of silence of the populace in the face of egregious threats to democracy and human freedom.
17. Noted with concern the manner in which the Judiciary may be allowing itself to be used as porn, in the illicit political battle for supremacy.
18. Expressed concern that the Obio/Akpor Local Government Secretariat workers are still locked out, their salaries not paid for an upward of about two months, and the unavailability of the very fundamental services they render to members of the general public.
19. Expressed concern that the State House of Assembly is still under lock and keys for weeks, depriving the peoples of the state of due representation and services of the members as required by the Constitution.
20. Further concerned that the Presidency is neck deep in the manufactured political crisis which has everything to do with the 2015 general elections.
Now therefore, the Niger Delta Civil Society Coalition and other stakeholders hereby formally:
A. Calls on the Presidency to take its Responsibility to Protect all Nigerian citizens, under both international law and the constitution of the Federal Republic, most seriously. The presidency should prevent, rather than stoke conflict in any guise whatsoever.
B. Calls on the Presidency and all elected representatives of the peoples to end, the most undemocratic culture of impunity, by taking the rule of law and due process requirements seriously.
C. Calls on the Presidency to void forthwith in the public interest any practice or use of powers democratically and constitutionally entrusted upon him to govern, protect life and property of citizens in an abusive manner, or manipulating the same in settlement of political scores.
D. Calls on the Presidency and political elites to shun speeches that could be termed hate speech and have capacity to cause dissension, humiliate and or reduce the integrity of his office.
E. Calls on the Presidency and governors to respect the outcomes of a duly conducted Nigeria Governor Forum elections that is considered free, fair and credible, therefore, leave positive examples for broader future elections.
F. Calls on the Presidency and colleagues to support the sustenance and consolidation of democracy that is accountable, respectful of the rule of law in which the constitution is supreme, all citizens are equal before the law, no one is above the law, corruption is minimised and punished, state authorities respect the rights of citizens.
G. Calls on the governors and legislators to respect the constitutional requirements for the third tier of government. Legislators and its relevant committees should effectively investigate suspicions, fraud and abuses within the state and local government agencies, under its jurisdiction. They should monitor the overall efficiency and integrity of government and allegations of wrongdoing in an objective, transparent and in accordance with the requirements of known statutes.
H. Calls on the federal government to effectively and efficiently conclude the Amnesty programme in such a manner that its dangerous monetization impact, does not motivate peaceful and law abiding young people into violence.
I. The Presidency should take capacity seriously in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and ensure that the East–West road and other critical infrastructures in the region are given priority attention, to enable job creation for teaming millions of helpless and frustrated young people.
J. Insist that participation in 2015 general elections should be based on performance, merit, and all political parties should internalize democratic values and rule of law.
K. Calls on the Police Service Commission and the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the Nigeria Police in all of its ramifications does not assume the character of a political, omnipotent force, that is master, rather than servant of the peoples, and officers found wanting should be dismissed forthwith.
L. Calls on the National Judicial Commission, the Chief Justice of the federation and the Nigerian Bar Association to guard judicial independence and integrity most jealously. A democratic rule of law requires a judiciary that is, at every level, neutral, independent from political influence, and reasonably competent and resourceful. Most of all, it requires a constitutional court willing to constrain the power of the mighty and defend the rights of the meek.
M. Calls on the fourth estate of the realm to effectively play its historic role in securitizing and checking the exercise of executive power, inspite of the overwhelming threat to open culture by the police command.
Vigilant Citizenry: Finally, we the peoples and leaders of critical civil society groups in the Niger Delta region, do hereby give unto ourselves a DOING DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT with the object of mobilizing and conscientizing citizens from the roots of communities and states of the region, to participate in decisions that affect their lives, and join in collectively building democracy, decimating culture of silence, challenge all impoverishing structures, and ensure that democracy becomes qualitative, participatory and human rights and fundamental freedoms observed and respected, through legitimate democratic processes which include peaceful protests etal.
Issued at Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, this 17th Day of June, 2013
For and on behalf of the NDCSC and Stakeholders:
Anyakwee Nsirimovu
Chair, NDCSC
Dr. Lucky Akaruese – University of Port Harcourt
Rev. David Ugolor – Executive Director, ANEEJ, Benin, Edo State
Kenneth Atsuwette, esq. Human Rights Alliance,
Mike Karipo, esq. – MOSOP/Environmental Rights Action, Port Harcourt
Chief Christian Akani – Centre for Academic Freedom, PHC
Martha Agbani – Nokiaka Community Development Centre, Rivers
Christy Enang –CPD Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
Ekanem Inyang Applicant Welfare and Development Centre– Uyo –
Dr. Roibito Ekanem – Women in Action for Positive Development and Gender Enhancement Centre, Cross River State
Victoria Ukpong – Edem Foundation, Cross River
Allagoa Morris – Environmental Action, Bayelsa State
Princess Egbe – Operation Rescue, Bayelsa State
Betram Ubaka – Disabilities Action Network, Edo State
Courage Nsirimovu, esq. – IHRHL, Rivers
Emeka Ononamadu –Citizen Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights Centre, Imo State
Okechukwu Nwanguma – NOPRIN, Lagos
Ifeanyi Anyanwu – CLEEN Foundation, Imo State
Amaka Biachi – Umuahia, Abia State
Amechi Omagbitse Ogbonna- Itsekiri Movement for Peace and Justice, Delta State
Uzezi Agbo – Community Peace Development Initiative, Delta State
Abiye George – Rivers Youth Coalition Vanguard, Rivers
Osademe Tonia – FIDA, Rivers
Dumka Emah – Child Life, Rivers
Follow
email