Discussion
Details
This roundtable is coming at a time in Nigeria politics that infringements on the rule of law have become more rampant. The CSOs at times go about their activities, and infringe on the rule of law, without any repercussion. The Nigerian media, considered as the freest in Africa, infringe on the rule. Even the governments in Nigeria are not an exception as far as infringement on the rule of law is concerned.
The representatives of CSOs, and the Media came together in this roundtable, where their rights and duties as members of the society were discussed. Examples of infringement on the rule of law by the government, CSOs and the Media were discussed in a paper by Barrister Mike Utsaha from Kukah Foundation, Abuja. He raised the issue that the CSOs that were vibrant under the military rule refused to rise up to the challenges in the democratic dispensation, and still use anti-government tactics and languages in their activities. Everybody must come together to respect the supremacy of the constitution, and work together for a just and fair society where nobody is above the law.
Among others it was recommended that:
- A special strategy session to facilitate the emergence of Think Tanks, Advocacy and Sensitization and Collaboration with relevant government agencies should take place.
- The Judiciary should be strengthened to perform its functions. Persons of patriotic zeal and integrity to be identified, along with the various stakeholders to ensure Rule of Law.
- The Ethics of Nigeria as contained in the Constitution should be quoted as often as possible by CSOs and Media.
A communiqué was passed at the end of the roundtable by all the participants.