From Francis Sadhere, Warri
The Human Rights Protection Congress (HRPC), also known as the Citizens Rights Concern Enhancement Initiative, has called for credible elections, accountable governance, strict adherence to the rule of law and improved public infrastructure as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary.
The organisation made the call during its 2026 Congress National Day and 4th Annual Dialogue, organised in conjunction with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, Delta State.
The event, held at the NUJ Warri office, had as its theme: “Nigeria at 66: Democracy, Good Governance, Electoral Integrity and the Protection of Human Rights.”
Speaking at the programme, the Chairman of HRPC’s Board of Trustees, Amb. (Pastor) Edewor Egedegbe, said democracy could only thrive when citizens were allowed to freely choose their leaders and hold them accountable, while government remained responsive to their needs.
He identified transparency, accountability, respect for the rule of law and effective delivery of public services as key ingredients of good governance.
Egedegbe noted that corruption, insecurity, political violence, kidnapping and other social vices continued to undermine democratic development, urging government institutions to operate within the law and protect citizens from arbitrary arrest and detention.
On the 2027 elections, he called for greater transparency in the electoral process and stronger measures against electoral malpractice, intimidation and impunity.
He urged Nigerians not to sell their votes but to vote according to their conscience, stressing that citizens had a critical role to play in determining the quality of leadership in the country.
The HRPC chairman also raised concerns over the continued detention of some Okuama community leaders despite a court order reportedly directing their unconditional release.
He stressed that the Constitution guaranteed fundamental rights, including personal liberty, fair hearing, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and movement.
Egedegbe said valid judicial orders must be obeyed unless lawfully stayed, varied or set aside, urging the Federal Government, security agencies and the Nigerian Correctional Service to ensure compliance with court orders and prevent detention outside due process.
The organisation also called on the National Human Rights Commission to strengthen monitoring of detention facilities and urged the National Assembly to exercise appropriate oversight where allegations of unlawful detention arose.
On electoral freedom, HRPC expressed concern over reported political confrontations and restrictions surrounding political activities, urging security agencies to investigate all allegations impartially and prosecute anyone found culpable.
The National Coordinator of HRPC, Amb. Monday Enudi, said allegations arising from reported incidents in Effurun, Aghalokpe and Usiefrun in Delta State, as well as the reported obstruction of Peter Obi’s convoy in Benue State, should not be treated as established facts without evidence.
He also referred to competing accounts concerning the September 18 political confrontation in Effurun, including allegations by the NDC and counterclaims by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, over the alleged destruction of APC campaign materials and looting.
“Allegations must be investigated, all parties must be heard, and due process must prevail,” Enudi said.
He urged political parties, candidates and public office holders to exercise restraint, avoid inflammatory rhetoric and ensure that their supporters did not resort to violence or intimidation.
HRPC called on INEC, the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, state security councils and prosecuting authorities to protect lawful political activities equally and investigate reported violations promptly.
The organisation further called for improved infrastructure, expressing concern over the condition of major roads around the Benin-Abraka axis, Benin-Asaba corridor, Warri and Effurun.
Enudi urged the Federal Ministry of Works, the Delta and Edo State Governments, local governments and contractors to prioritise durable reconstruction rather than repeated temporary repairs.
He also demanded greater transparency in public projects, urging governments to publish details of contractors, contract values, commencement dates, completion targets and project status.
Enudi said good governance should be measured not only by policies but also by how effectively government protected citizens’ rights, guaranteed political participation and provided functional infrastructure.
“A citizen whose rights are violated cannot fully participate in democracy. A citizen intimidated from attending a political gathering cannot freely exercise political rights. A citizen whose movement is endangered by failed infrastructure experiences another form of deprivation,” he said.
The organisers said the annual dialogue provided an opportunity for journalists, civil society actors, human rights advocates and other stakeholders to examine Nigeria’s democratic journey and proffer practical solutions to challenges confronting good governance and human rights protection.
They stressed that a free and responsible press remained essential to democracy, particularly in providing citizens with credible information and holding public officials accountable.
HRPC urged political parties, candidates, security agencies, government institutions, civil society organisations, traditional institutions and citizens to work towards a peaceful and credible 2027 electoral process.
Egedegbe said Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary should go beyond celebration and serve as a renewed commitment to democratic values, human dignity, freedom, security, social justice and the welfare of Nigerians.
He said HRPC remained committed to promoting human rights, good governance, accountability, peaceful democratic participation and the rule of law, while rejecting political violence, intimidation, impunity and disregard for lawful authority.
The Human Rights Protection Congress (HRPC), also known as the Citizens Rights Concern Enhancement Initiative, has called for credible elections, accountable governance, strict adherence to the rule of law and improved public infrastructure as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary.
The organisation made the call during its 2026 Congress National Day and 4th Annual Dialogue, organised in conjunction with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, Delta State.
The event, held at the NUJ Warri office, had as its theme: “Nigeria at 66: Democracy, Good Governance, Electoral Integrity and the Protection of Human Rights.”
Speaking at the programme, the Chairman of HRPC’s Board of Trustees, Amb. (Pastor) Edewor Egedegbe, said democracy could only thrive when citizens were allowed to freely choose their leaders and hold them accountable, while government remained responsive to their needs.
He identified transparency, accountability, respect for the rule of law and effective delivery of public services as key ingredients of good governance.
Egedegbe noted that corruption, insecurity, political violence, kidnapping and other social vices continued to undermine democratic development, urging government institutions to operate within the law and protect citizens from arbitrary arrest and detention.
On the 2027 elections, he called for greater transparency in the electoral process and stronger measures against electoral malpractice, intimidation and impunity.
He urged Nigerians not to sell their votes but to vote according to their conscience, stressing that citizens had a critical role to play in determining the quality of leadership in the country.
The HRPC chairman also raised concerns over the continued detention of some Okuama community leaders despite a court order reportedly directing their unconditional release.
He stressed that the Constitution guaranteed fundamental rights, including personal liberty, fair hearing, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and movement.
Egedegbe said valid judicial orders must be obeyed unless lawfully stayed, varied or set aside, urging the Federal Government, security agencies and the Nigerian Correctional Service to ensure compliance with court orders and prevent detention outside due process.
The organisation also called on the National Human Rights Commission to strengthen monitoring of detention facilities and urged the National Assembly to exercise appropriate oversight where allegations of unlawful detention arose.
On electoral freedom, HRPC expressed concern over reported political confrontations and restrictions surrounding political activities, urging security agencies to investigate all allegations impartially and prosecute anyone found culpable.
The National Coordinator of HRPC, Amb. Monday Enudi, said allegations arising from reported incidents in Effurun, Aghalokpe and Usiefrun in Delta State, as well as the reported obstruction of Peter Obi’s convoy in Benue State, should not be treated as established facts without evidence.
He also referred to competing accounts concerning the September 18 political confrontation in Effurun, including allegations by the NDC and counterclaims by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, over the alleged destruction of APC campaign materials and looting.
“Allegations must be investigated, all parties must be heard, and due process must prevail,” Enudi said.
He urged political parties, candidates and public office holders to exercise restraint, avoid inflammatory rhetoric and ensure that their supporters did not resort to violence or intimidation.
HRPC called on INEC, the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, state security councils and prosecuting authorities to protect lawful political activities equally and investigate reported violations promptly.
The organisation further called for improved infrastructure, expressing concern over the condition of major roads around the Benin-Abraka axis, Benin-Asaba corridor, Warri and Effurun.
Enudi urged the Federal Ministry of Works, the Delta and Edo State Governments, local governments and contractors to prioritise durable reconstruction rather than repeated temporary repairs.
He also demanded greater transparency in public projects, urging governments to publish details of contractors, contract values, commencement dates, completion targets and project status.
Enudi said good governance should be measured not only by policies but also by how effectively government protected citizens’ rights, guaranteed political participation and provided functional infrastructure.
“A citizen whose rights are violated cannot fully participate in democracy. A citizen intimidated from attending a political gathering cannot freely exercise political rights. A citizen whose movement is endangered by failed infrastructure experiences another form of deprivation,” he said.
The organisers said the annual dialogue provided an opportunity for journalists, civil society actors, human rights advocates and other stakeholders to examine Nigeria’s democratic journey and proffer practical solutions to challenges confronting good governance and human rights protection.
They stressed that a free and responsible press remained essential to democracy, particularly in providing citizens with credible information and holding public officials accountable.
HRPC urged political parties, candidates, security agencies, government institutions, civil society organisations, traditional institutions and citizens to work towards a peaceful and credible 2027 electoral process.
Egedegbe said Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary should go beyond celebration and serve as a renewed commitment to democratic values, human dignity, freedom, security, social justice and the welfare of Nigerians.
He said HRPC remained committed to promoting human rights, good governance, accountability, peaceful democratic participation and the rule of law, while rejecting political violence, intimidation, impunity and disregard for lawful authority.
