The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Abia organised a walk in Umuahia on Saturday to sensitise the residents to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate in the 2023 General Elections.
The walk started from the commission’s office at Item Street, Umuahia through Michael Okpara Square to Flo FM Radio at Afaraukwu Ibeku in the metropolis.
The NHRC staff members and their partners, including Greater Women Initiative for Health and Rights and Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation, participated in the walk.
Other partners were Falatael Advocates Human Rights and Social Justice, Nigeria and Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu’s pet project, called the Vicar Hope Foundation.
The participants, who were dressed in branded T-shirts and fez caps, danced round the town, sharing flyers on people and their rights.
They also displayed placards with various inscriptions, such as: “Collect your PVC,” “Your vote is your right”, “Your rights begin where my rights end,” amongst others.
In separate speeches during the event, the group leaders underscored the need for people to get their PVCs and vote for candidates of their choice.
They also campaigned against rape, defilement, incest, spouse battery, female genital mutilation, frustrating investigation, harmful traditional practices and other forms of violence against women and girls.
In an interview with newsmen, NHRC State Coordinator, Mrs Uche Nwokocha, said the day is one of the observances of the United Nations.
According Nwokocha, the event marks the day of adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article.
She said that the commission and its partners embarked on the sensitisation because “we are concerned about the success of elections in Nigeria”.
She said, “In a few weeks time, Nigerians will be going to the poll to vote for leaders of their choice.
“So, we are telling them to vote for men and women who know our rights and who have the capability to respect our rights.”
