Nigeria has presented its country report at the ongoing 2023 first Ordinary Session of the fifth legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja
The report, which dwelt on political, security, economic, human rights, healthcare situation and status of implementation of ECOWAS texts was delivered on behalf of the 33 – member Nigeria delegation by the member representing Onitsha North and South Federal constituency, Honourable Lynda Chuba- Ikpeazu.
She said that in spite of the evident passionate clamour for democracy, prior to the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections, turn out for the election was very low as only twenty four point nine million persons out of the ninety three point four seven million voters actually voted in the elections.
Honourable Ikpeazu noted that five out of the seventeen parties that participated in the presidential election challenged the victory of the president elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The parliamentarian lamented the security situation in the country, which she said was heightened prior to the elections as record scores of violence against civilians through banditry, kidnapping and political violence associated with the presidential and gubernatorial Elections.
According to her, the Food and Agricultural Organization, FAO, had in March 2023, projected that nearly twenty five million Nigerians are at the risk of facing hunger between June and August, 2023 which makes the hunger level in Nigeria bleak.
On the other hand, Carlos Tavares who had delivered the country report on behalf of the Cape Verde’s delegation said the country is located at the crossroads of routes used by transnational organized crimes owing to it’s geopolitical spread but the country has invested a lot in securing its borders and remained steadfast in combating drug trafficking.
He said in spite of significant progress regarding the promotion and protection of human rights, in Cape Verde, gaps still exist but there have been no reports or allegation of harassment.