CSOs Urge UN to Sanction Nigeria Over Rivers State CrisisA coalition of 24 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), which says it?s advocating for the political and economic welfare of the people of Nigeria, has written to the United Nations, accusing the Nigerian government of usurping democratic structures in Rivers state.

It therefore urged the global body to sanction Nigeria if the country fails to restore democracy to the oil-rich Niger Delta state immediately.

The coalition made the demand in a petition they filed to the Secretary of the Human Rights Committee of the UN in its New York headquarters on Thursday. In another petition to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Margaret Satterthwaite, the group of 24 decried Wike?s alleged closeness to Nigerian judges.

In the petition signed by Egondu Esinwoke (Convener) and Courage Nsirimovu(Coordinator), the coalition asked the UN to prevail on the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, to restore democratic governance in Rivers state, failing which the UN should place sanctions on Nigeria for defaulting in her obligation to promote democracy and democratic institutions within her territory.

The petition also implored the UN to advise Nigeria?s president to limit his actions within the confines of the nation?s constitution which they said is the ultimate law and from whence he derives his powers and authority.

Stressing that it is guided by certain fundamental principles which are the fulcrum of the constitution, the coalition stated that the freedom of expression and the press is being threatened as well as the right to peaceful assembly.

According to the group, the people cannot currently exercise their right to demonstrate or protest because the military has warned against any form of procession against the president?s action, while officials of a democratic government were being forced to resign and/or removed.

?Consequently, it is our prayer that you use your good office to: Prevail on the president of Nigeria to restore democratic governance in Rivers State. Place sanctions on Nigeria for defaulting in her obligation to promote democracy and democratic institutions within her territory.

?Advise the president to limit his actions within the confines of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which is the ultimate law and from whence he derives his powers and authority,? the coalition added.

The document was tagged: ?Petition Against the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the National Assembly of Nigeria for the Crass Usurpation of Democratic Structures In Rivers State and Ostentatious Desecration of the Nigerian Constitution Contrary to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.?

The concerned civil society organisations, said they recognise that advancing the rule of law, human rights and the basic tenets of democracy rest at the core of the United Nations? basic values and principles, chief among which include the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The CSOs further raised issues over the alleged relationship between the FCT Minister, Wike and the judiciary, noting that this was well captured in the article of a foremost Human Rights lawyer in Nigeria, now based in the United States of America, Chidi Odinkalu.

They stated that the ?perverse? decision of the supreme court, on the Siminalayi Fubaraand House of Assembly case, was part of the basis for the declaration of State of Emergency by the President of Nigeria who the group said is a major ally of Wike.

? Apparently the president wants Mr. Wike to control the political structure and resources of Rivers State and give him block votes for his second term bid. Hence the use of the judiciary as an instrument to achieve their ambitions.

?The president?s declaration of State of Emergency and suspension of the elected governor of Rivers State was purely political and unconstitutional. In declaring a state of Emergency, the President quoted the decision of the Supreme Court,? the CSOs added.

The group urged the UN organisation to immediately visit Nigeria to investigate the alleged corruption in the Nigerian judiciary.

?Dear Rapporteur, it is on the basis of the above weighty allegations that we pray you to immediately visit Nigeria to investigate the corruption in the Nigerian judiciary in view of restoring the hope of Nigerians and their trust in the judicial system as the last hope of the common man and not a political tool for the bourgeoisie.

?We further urge you to prevail on the relevant UN body or authority to prevail on the president of Nigeria to restore democratic rule in Rivers state Nigeria,? the group added. (ARISE NEWS)

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