More information and other agencies to get support

Trade Unions

This is a group of persons, who attempt to improve the terms and conditions of employment of their members by the employer through the process of collective bargaining. The unions’ functions range from economic and political activities, social welfare, psychological benefits, and the opportunity to participate in managerial functions in the industry. Trade unions may actively support participatory rights by mobilizing voters, shaping their members’ attitudes, and influencing representation and economic inequality.

Trade union membership on political participation was found to be both significant and positive and is associated with higher levels of political activism and electoral participation. Furthermore, an institutional context that facilitates high levels of union density seems likely to have an overall positive effect on citizen participation.

Trade Unions can also assist with support a claim in court against the violation of right to political participation and even institute an action on behalf of an individual whose right has been violated or restricted.

NGOs and civil society organisations

NGOs play important part in the modern political society by encouraging voter turnout, facilitating collective actions in support of an issue. In so doing, they stimulate political participation by creating opportunities and platforms for association, and providing resources. NGOs work to contribute to the realization of human rights.  They mobilize, articulate, and represent the concerns and interests of people at different levels of decision-making; locally, nationally, or internationally.

NGOs help promote right to political participation by leading citizens actions which include petitions, protests, social media campaigns, lobbying, legislative advocacy. In so doing, NGOs can help introduce bills that can influence government policies to favour citizens or stop policies that harm citizens.

Civil society organisation may also help support you when your right to political participation has been affected.

Political parties

Political parties can be considered as civil society organizations that summarize the interest of a particular group (or groups), articulate, and represent them. By participating in democratic elections, they want to present these interests to formal political representatives and institutions. A political party is the gateway platform to exercise the right to stand to be voted for a political post.

An ordinary person joins a party which represents his interests, thereby adopting the political principles of the party. Also, the political policies implemented by the party should have the best interest of the people who elected this party.

Most of these institutions have state or regional offices and so people in need of their assistance could reach out to their state or regional branches.

The Public Complaints Commission(PCC)  inquire into complaints by members of the public and ensure effective protection of human rights and the prevention of injustice in Nigeria.

Address: No 25, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja.

Contact: 08131297487

Website: www.pcc.gov.ngTwitter: @officialpccng

The National Human Rights Commission promotes the rights to freedom of expression amongst other rights; assist other victims whose right to freedom of expression has been violated.

Address: No 19 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama PMB 444, Garki Abuja.info@nhrc.gov.ng

Contact: 08006472428

Webiste: www.nhrc.com

Twitter: @NhrcNigeria

The Network of University legal Aid Institutions (NULAI) promotes clinical legal education, legal aid reform, community enlightenment and providing access to justice.

Address: It has branches (law clinics) all over Nigeria and has its headquarters at Suite 9A, second floor, right wing city plaza, plot56 Ahmadu Bello Way Garki Abuja

Contact: nulainigeria@nulai.org and 092900609

Website: www.nulai.org

Twitter: @NULAINigeria

The Legal Aid Council is an institution charged with the responsibility of providing legal advice, representation   to people of low income in Nigeria i.e., people who cannot afford to pay lawyers for the enforcement of their rights.

Address: No 22 Port Harcourt, Crescent, Area 11, Garki Abuja.

Contact: 09030436616

Website: www.legalaidcouncil.gov.ng 

Twitter.com> (@LegalAidCouncil

The Nigeria Bar Association is a non-profit umbrella professional association of all lawyers in Nigeria. It is engaged in the promotion and protection of human rights, rule of law and good governance.

Contact:info@nigeianbar.org.ng and 09-7804107

Website: www.nba.com

Twitter.com>@NBA.Com

The Human Rights Law service has a core litigation programme to bring selected human rights cases before the superior courts to establish and advance judicial norms on human rights in Nigeria law.

Contact:

Legal Defence and Assistance Project provides free legal representation to poor and vulnerable victims of human rights violations.