Human rights and leadership in Africa: the Nigerian connection in Buhari Administration

Abstract

Human Rights are moral norms or principles which describe certain standards of human behaviour. These rights are regarded under municipal and international law as natural and legal entitlements of all individuals and are thus protected. Such rights include right to life, right to social security, right to freedom of thought, right to freedom of speech, right to religious freedom, right to private property, right to democracy, right to gainful employment, etc. The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights lists 30 of such rights. The Nigerian constitution also covers human rights. But leadership in Africa has many times been faced with issues of abuse of human rights; Nigeria not being an exception. This paper is interested in investigating the extent to which these rights have been respected or abused in Africa, but with special focus on Nigeria, and the Buhari administration as the special interest. The theoretical framework is the historical and the tools of enquiry are the critical, the analytical and expository. Recommendations include: evolution of solid political ideology of leadership couched on service for Africa by Africans, demolition of the cankerworm of tribalism in Africa/Nigeria, the elimination of religious fanaticism, education in ideal humanity from earliest childhood, etc.

Keywords: Human Rights, Africa, Nigeria, leadership, Buhari administration