Don Calls For Reduction In Electoral Crises

The Dean, Faculty of Law, Rivers State University, Professor Nlerum Sunday Okogbule, has called for a reduction in number of electoral crises across the country.
Professor Okogbule said this in an inaugural lecture titled: “Actualising Human Rights in a Globalising World: The Challenge for Africa”.
The university don also warned against the continous politicisation of the judiciary, stressing that the situation if not checked may truncate the nation’s nascent democracy.
“There is need to de-emphasis recourse to the courts in the resolution of political contestation.
“The practice today is that the slightest political dispute  between  persons is taken to the court. Undue pressure is thus put on judges who are often tempted and even corrupted by the political class.
“The result is the politicisation of the judiciary” he said.
The university don stressed the need for an entrenchment of a system that is more participatory and people centred.
“The people must become the centre-piece and focus of political governance and the judiciary should be enabled to plug a crucial role in the sustenance of the democratic process”.
Prof. Okogbule also stressed the need for the study of human rights to be made compulsory in schools while governments at all level must respect the fundamental rights of the people.
Speaking at the lecture, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Professor Emefiok Essien commended the management of the Rivers State University for instituting an inaugural lecture series for the institution.
Professor Essien said that the large turn out for the lecture  had shown that there is a hunger for knowledge in Rivers State.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Professor Blessing Didia, said that the issues raised by Professor  Okogbule were not only topical, but need for the research.