Rights group sets agenda for candidates

The Human Rights Agenda Network (HRAN) being a network of over 303 registered members who are Non-Governmental Organisations and human rights activists across Nigeria, said that it took the step due to concerns that key human rights and livelihood issues have not been addressed by the Presidential, Gubernatorial and other political candidates during the lead up to the 2015 general elections.
Democracy, according to HRAN, demands that politicians set concrete agendas upon which the electorate can select a suitable leader who can be held accountable using the concrete agenda promised.
It called upon the candidates to speak directly to Nigerians in respect of the prevailing issues before Nigerians will vote based on concrete agendas.
Youth unemployment toped the agenda as the group want the candidates to explain their strategy for tackling the issue of youth unemployment with particular reference to the empowerment of young girls, adding that 80 per cent of youths are unemployed today.
Secondly the group wants to know how the candidates intend to improve the downstream petroleum sector via policies towards production and refining petroleum products.
HRAN said that it will like to know how the candidates intend to ensure the security of lives and property in Nigeria, with particular reference to the insurgency in the Northeast and Northwest regions.
“How can you reduce the quantity of small arms and light weapons that are illegally found in hands of people which increases insecurity of lives and properties in Nigeria?”
Others includes protection of Minorities – Religious, tribal and economic minorities as well as persons living with disability have suffered greatly from misgovernance. How will you address the challenge of misgovenance?
  The candidates will also  explain in detail how they intend to tackle the issue of corruption in the private and public spheres in Nigeria.
On the power Sector HRAN want  to find out their practical agenda in increasing access to regular and consistent electricity.
The group mentioned women’s rights, International obligations,Justice Sector Reform, children,  education, values and ethics as key areas.