Situation of Human Rights in Nigeria
Situation of Human Rights in Nigeria by A. O Eze (director Institute of Political Therapy and Gamesmanship Studies) The question of human rights in Nigeria since independence has been very controversial. Human rights in Nigeria are protected under Chapter IV of the 1999 constitution. Nigeria has made serious improvements in human rights under this constitution that ushered in fourth republic although there are some lapses or areas that need to be strengthened which we are going to examine under contending issues as a sub-topic. In the period between its independence in 1960 to 1999, military has ruled Nigeria for 29 years starting from Aguiyi Ironsi in 1966 to Abudsalami Abubakar in 1999. Under military rule human rights suffers most. This is because military has no or little regard to human rights. Military rules with decree and not constitution. And it is only in constitution that human rights can be truly guaranteed. Nigeria since independence has been active in signing and...