Osinachi Nwachukwu, Elizabeth Ochanya and Iniobong Umoren have one thing in common. They were among the over 600 Nigerian victims of gender-based violence (GBV) who died under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, according to the government-owned dashboard Report GBV.
One Mr Buhari’s campaign promises during the 2015 elections, and reiterated 100 days after he assumed office, was that he would “ensure the rights of women are protected as enshrined in our constitution.”
For instance, the Nigerian constitution, in sections 17(1) and (2) (a), recognises women’s equal rights; equality of rights, obligations, and opportunities before the law.
Section 43 also recognises the right to acquire property and guarantees every citizen the right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in the country. This protects women against cultural beliefs that deny them the right to own land.
After he was reelected in 2019, Mr Buhari assured of his…