1. I feel highly honoured as the Director, Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), to welcome you to this year Annual Public Lecture to mark the 2026 Democracy Day in Nigeria. This event is a sober reflection to us in the CHRAN and to other progressives across the Nigerian State who were part of the struggles for the return to democracy in Nigeria.
2. Over the years, the CHRAN has been organising this event to commemorate the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election won by late Chief Moshood Abiola, GCFR but which was annulled by the then Military Head of State and self-styled president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, even when the election was adjudged by both national and international observers as the freest and fairest ever in Nigeria democratic history.
3. Finally succumbing to pressure, General Abdulsalami Abubakar announced the promulgation of Decree No. 24 of 1999 which birthed the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and ushered in the Fourth Republic on May 29, 1999 with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as the first elected President of the Fourth Republic.
4. Following the outset of the Fourth Republic, we shifted our advocacy to the need to proclaim June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day. Our advocacy achieved success when on June 6, 2018 then President Muhammadu Buhari declared June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day and honoured Chief Moshood Abiola posthumously with the highest National Honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), reserved for Nigeria’s past and present Heads of State.
5. At this juncture, we in the CHRAN pay glowing tributes to all our Comrades who paid the supreme price with their lives in the course of the struggle, including Chief M.K.O Abiola. While, we congratulate all of us who are alive today to celebrate this remarkable day in the history of the Nigerian State.
6. This Public Lecture is apt as it serves as a platform for all of us Nigerians to do an appraisal of the journey of the Fourth Republic twenty-seven (27) years after, that is, from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2026.
7. For us in the CHRAN, we believe that no matter the situation, democratic government is preferable to any other form of government. As I said earlier, the current Nigerian democracy is founded on a constitution that the General Abdulsalami Abubakar-led military junta hurriedly packaged and imposed on Nigerians using Decree No. 24 of 1999. This constitution that is twenty- seven (27) years in existence has not effectively addressed Nigeria’s multifarious problems and challenges. There is no doubt that the extant constitution requires a fundamental review, if not a complete overhaul.
8. We know that the media expect to hear our position on the security situation in the country. The CHRAN is deeply concerned about the security challenges in Nigeria. Recent reports have shown that school abductions remain a serious security issue in Nigeria, with attacks affecting pupils and teachers in several states of the federation, after the abduction of 276 Chibok school girls in Borno State in 2014, and the recent in Oyo and Borno States. The Center calls for urgent action by Government of the Federation to ensure the immediate release of all abducted school children and teachers across the federation. The Center urges the President of the Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the security situation facing the federation as a matter of urgent public importance. The CHRAN calls for the overhauling and decentralization of the security architecture of the federation to give more powers to the sub-national Governments. The CHRAN urges President Bola Tinubu to work with the 36 State Governors and members of the National Assembly to immediately establish State Police and National Forest Guards in Nigeria.
9. In Akwa Ibom state, the CHRAN commends Pastor Umo Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State for providing supports for the security of the state. The CHRAN lauds the security agencies in Akwa Ibom State for their relentless efforts at securing the state. The Center urges the citizens of the state to collaborate with the security agencies as security is everyone’s responsibility.
10. In the civil society perspective, three (3) years of Pastor Umo Eno’s administration, the CHRAN notes with satisfaction and commendation the efforts of the Government of Akwa Ibom State at providing infrastructure in the state, such as the Arise Recreational Park with 9-Hole Golf Course at Dominic Utuk street; Ibom Modern Farm at Ikot Edibon in Nsit Ubium LGA; International Convention Center and Ibom Hotel within the Tropicana project at Udo Udoma; ongoing construction of Ring road III from Idoro road to Ikot Ekpene road; construction of Ikot Ukobo/Ikot Ekpene udo/Eket road; construction of Nsit Atai/Okobo road; construction of Oron Jetty for Marine transportation from Oron to Calabar; the efforts of government in Primary healthcare system, building of model primary schools, Arise Compassionate Homes for the less-privileged; building of Senior citizens Center, building of Ibom International Multi-Specialist Hospital with 350 beds; the completion of New Terminal building of the Victor Attah International Airport among several others.
11. The CHRAN is, however, perturbed that what the state government is doing in the areas of: rural development, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and human capacity development is not being complemented by the 31 local government councils in the State. The Center therefore urges the 31 local government councils’ chairmen to complement the state government’s efforts by embarking on people-oriented projects.
12. On the theme of this year’s Public Lecture, the Keynote Speaker, Prof. Enefiok Effiong Essien, SAN, is a Professor of Law, has several leadership roles to his credit in the University of Uyo. He was the Dean, Faculty of Law (multiple terms), chairman, Committee of Deans (Dean of Deans), and became the Vice Chancellor, University of Uyo. The board and leadership of CHRAN received six (6) nominations of eminent scholars from different institutions across Nigeria to take up this role, but after a thorough examination of their contributions to democracy in Nigeria, Prof. Enefiok Essien, SAN was considered the best to take up this herculean task and we trust he will do justice to the theme.
13. CHRAN’s advocacies:
i. While, we commend the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno for setting up a Task Team on Potholes Identification, Documentation and Evaluation which indicates government intentions to fix roads infrastructure in Uyo metropolis, we urge the Governor to take similar measures on the worrisome situation of waste management in Uyo metropolis and environs.
ii. The CHRAN calls on the government to ensure full implementation of the Akwa Ibom State Anti-Open Gracing Law in order to check the unlawful and criminal activities of cattle herders in the State.
iii. The CHRAN calls on Governor Umo Eno to set up a team to carry out independent assessment tour of the 31 Local Government Areas in order to assess, evaluate and document the projects and other activities executed by the 31 Local Government Councils in the past two (2) years.
iv. The CHRAN also calls on the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to ensure effective oversight on the 31 Local Government Council Chairmen of the State and to embark on unscheduled tour of the 31 local government areas.
v. The CHRAN urges the political class to approach 2027 electioneering campaigns with utmost decorum and high degree of responsibility. Elections should not be seen as a warfront or battle to kill and destroy one another. It is simply an opportunity for the people to elect their servants who will deliver on good governance to them.
14. Ladies and gentlemen, as a reminder, it is CHRAN’s civic responsibility as a civil society organisation and a pro-democracy group in Nigeria backed by the United Nations with the core mandates of holding governments at all levels accountable to the people, ensuring rule of law, human rights, and deepening democracy, to continue to carry out these mandates responsibly.
15. The CHRAN does not belong to any political party. Our focus is the Nigerian State and wellbeing of the people. Hence, our advocacies are centered around good governance, observance and promotion of transparency and accountability. We want democracy to endure for the overall benefit of all Nigerians.
16. We congratulate President Bola Tinubu, Members of the National Assembly, Governor Umo Eno and Members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on the occasion of the 2026 Democracy Day and their three (3) years in office. We pray God to grant them good health, safety and sound mind as they continue to provide good governance to all Nigerians.
17. Once again, on behalf of the CHRAN Board and Members, I welcome you all to this Public Lecture.
18. Many thanks and God bless!
Being a welcome Address by the Director, Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), Otuekong Franklyn Isong, at the June 12 Annual Public Lecture organised by the CHRAN to mark the 2026 Democracy Day in Nigeria with the theme “THE DANGERS OF VOTE SELLING IN A DEMOCRACY” held at the CHRAN Conference Hall, 15 Akpa Ubeh Street off Babangida Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Friday, June 12, 2026.
