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Ojukwu calls for stronger synergy on insecurity, human rights, democracy in West Africa
The Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa, NNHRI-WA, has called for stronger independence, funding, and regional collaboration for NHRIs to address rising insecurity, shrinking civic space, and barriers to justice across the ECOWAS region.
President of NNHRI-WA and Executive Secretary of Nigeria’s Human Rights Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN, made the call at Network’s Eighth Regional Conference and Annual General Assembly held in Abidjan from 7 to 8 September 2026.
The event was hosted by the Commission Nationale des Droits de l’Homme de Côte d’Ivoire, CNDH-CI, and supported by the ECOWAS Commission, OHCHR-WARO, UNOWAS and UNAIDS.
Twelve National Human Rights Institutions from Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo participated alongside regional and international partners.
Declaring the conference open, Ojukwu said human rights, democracy, development, peace and good governance are “mutually reinforcing pillars.”
He noted progress in democratic governance across the region, but warned of continuing challenges including unconstitutional changes of government, violent extremism, poverty, displacement, and declining public trust.
He urged NHRIs to move beyond reacting to violations and focus more on prevention and early warning.
A statement by Hajia Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages at the NHRC, said the ECOWAS Commission, represented by Mr. Ebenezer Asiedu, reaffirmed its commitment to keep human rights at the heart of the ECOWAS architecture and encouraged NHRIs to be “bold and innovative.”
OHCHR-WARO Regional Representative, Mr. Robert Kotchani, said NHRIs have a key role in protecting women, children, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
In the review of the 2025 Abuja Communique, member institutions reported progress on OPCAT detention monitoring, transitional justice, migration, climate change, and election observation.
On detention and justice, almost all institutions reported overcrowding and prolonged pre-trial detention.
Ghana reported remand overcrowding above 130 percent capacity and the passage of a new Community Service Act for non-custodial sentencing.
Nigeria cited its toll-free line 6472 and the use of criminal justice committees to identify wrongful detention. Sierra Leone and Togo also reported nationwide prison monitoring.
On political rights, The Gambia, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal presented models of NHRI involvement across the electoral cycle, including monitoring, hate speech tracking, and voter education.
Delegates called for greater inclusion of women, youth, persons with disabilities and the diaspora.
On business and human rights, Nigeria reported amending the NHRC Act to include an express business-and-human-rights mandate.
Senegal said it is finalizing a draft National Action Plan to become the first francophone country with one, while The Gambia said it is at an early stage following stakeholder consultations.
Delegates also flagged two recurring challenges: difficulties with intra-regional free movement despite the ECOWAS Protocol, and unresolved questions on eligibility and cut-off points in reparations processes.
The Conference resolved to deepen peer learning, conduct joint monitoring missions, and strengthen engagement with ECOWAS, the AU and the UN.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Ojukwu said the legitimacy of NHRIs “is measured not by the offices we occupy, but by the difference we make in the lives of ordinary citizens.”
The Ninth Regional Conference and General Assembly will be convened in 2027.
The David Mark-led faction of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the Federal High Court judgement that removed its leadership.
The opposition party also disclosed that it had filed an application seeking a stay of execution of the judgement pending the hearing and determination of its appeal.
The party made this known in a statement on Friday, November 6, adding that it had formally notified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the legal steps taken,
The appeal is against the judgement delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 5, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1619/2025, involving Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe and the ADC.
The party urged INEC to refrain from taking any further action on the matter until the Court of Appeal has considered the case.
It argued that the application for a stay of execution was yet to be decided and that the electoral commission should not take any step that could affect the outcome of the appeal.
According to the ADC, it expects INEC to respect the ongoing legal process and allow the appellate court to hear the matter before making any decision connected to the judgement.
The statement partly read, “The ADC is exercising its lawful right to appeal. The judgement is now being challenged before a higher court, and the legal process must be allowed to run its course.
“We expect INEC to uphold the law and take full account of the pending proceedings before making any consequential decisions.”
The party also urged its members and supporters to remain calm, insisting that the court judgement would not stop its political activities.
It said its campaigns would continue while it explored all available legal options to defend its position.
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The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark, declaring the caretaker committee that oversaw the party’s affairs illegal and invalidating all decisions taken by the committee.
The judgment, delivered on Thursday by Justice Peter Lifu, also affects the presidential primary that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s flag bearer for the 2027 general elections.
Atiku, whose name had earlier been published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s presidential candidate, had already selected former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
The ruling followed a suit instituted by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the ADC, who challenged the process through which the David Mark-led leadership assumed control of the party.
Gombe argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to take over the leadership.
He consequently asked the court to invalidate all actions undertaken by the Mark-led leadership and restrain Senator Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from presenting themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
The plaintiff maintained that their emergence violated the ADC constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
In suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, the ADC, INEC, Senator David Mark, Aregbesola and Chief Ralph Nwosu were listed as defendants.
Justice Lifu upheld Gombe’s claims and granted the reliefs sought, effectively invalidating the authority of the caretaker committee and decisions taken under its leadership.
The verdict is expected to trigger fresh political uncertainty within the ADC, particularly over Atiku’s presidential ambition and the party’s preparations for the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
However, the party has vowed to challenge the judgment at the appellate court.
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