[Press Release] The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of perpetuating systemic discrimination against the Igbo people by refusing to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The association described the continued incarceration of Kanu as unjust, provocative, and a major impediment to lasting peace and stability in the South-East region.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, HURIWA questioned the glaring double standard in the federal government’s handling of separatist movements in Nigeria.
It pointed out that Sunday Igboho, leader of the Yoruba Nation movement, who similarly advocates for self-determination, enjoys freedom and has not been subjected to the same treatment as Kanu. Despite both movements sharing similar objectives, IPOB has been labeled a terrorist organization, while the Yoruba Nation movement remains unproscribed and its leader untouched by the law.
“This disparity is an affront to justice and fairness,” HURIWA stated. “Why is Nnamdi Kanu’s case different? Why is the IPOB leader treated with such hostility and disdain while Sunday Igboho, who leads a similar separatist movement, is a free man? Is it because IPOB represents the Igbo people? This level of discrimination is not only ungodly but also threatens the fragile unity of Nigeria.”
HURIWA emphasized that the continued detention of Kanu has intensified discontent in the Southeast, with far-reaching consequences for the region’s economy, security, and social stability.
The Monday sit-at-home protests, enforced by yet-to-be-identified actors, have crippled businesses, paralyzed education, and created a general sense of unrest among residents.
The association also highlighted the human cost of the crisis. “Hundreds of young people in the South-East have lost their lives due to extrajudicial killings by security forces and violence perpetrated by non-state actors. The bloodshed has left families devastated and further alienated the region from the rest of the country.
“The South-East is bleeding, both economically and socially. Families are mourning their loved ones, businesses are shutting down, and youths are losing hope. The federal government’s refusal to address these issues through dialogue and reconciliation shows a lack of commitment to national unity,” HURIWA stated.
The group called on President Tinubu to demonstrate true leadership by ordering Kanu’s immediate release and initiating constructive dialogue with stakeholders in the South-East. It proposed the formation of a negotiation team comprising South-East governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society representatives, and IPOB members led by Kanu himself.
“Engaging with all stakeholders is the only way to address the root causes of the unrest in the South-East. This government must abandon its militaristic approach and embrace non-kinetic solutions, as it has done with other regions,” HURIWA added.
The association criticized the federal government’s inconsistent handling of similar cases, noting that while Igboho has been allowed to freely pursue his agenda, Kanu’s detention continues to fuel a sense of marginalization among the Igbo. “This selective justice is unacceptable and undermines the principles of equality and fairness that should guide a democratic government. The president must address this glaring bias and work to restore trust among all ethnic groups,” HURIWA declared.
HURIWA also condemned the economic neglect of the South-East, which has worsened the region’s crisis. Youth unemployment has soared, businesses have collapsed, and the once-vibrant economic hub of the South-East now struggles to sustain itself. The association attributed these challenges to the federal government’s failure to prioritize non-kinetic solutions and its refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue with aggrieved parties.
“The South-East is a critical economic zone with immense potential to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s development. However, the region has been abandoned, and its people are suffering. This administration has a duty to rebuild trust and restore hope in the South-East by addressing their legitimate grievances,” the association said.
The group also noted the federal government’s willingness to negotiate with other separatist movements in the past, such as the Niger Delta militants and even groups in the North, through amnesty programs and peace talks. “Why is the South-East being treated differently? This discriminatory approach must stop. The government must show that it values the lives and well-being of all Nigerians equally,” HURIWA stated.
In its concluding remarks, HURIWA warned that the federal government’s continued inaction and bias toward the South-East would only deepen the region’s sense of alienation and fuel further unrest. The association urged President Tinubu to act decisively and demonstrate his commitment to national unity and equity.
“The time for action is now. The South-East is bleeding, and its people are demanding justice, fairness, and peace. President Tinubu must rise above ethnic and political biases to heal the wounds of the region and build a united Nigeria. Release Nnamdi Kanu, engage with the youths, and create a legacy of unity and progress,” HURIWA concluded.
Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko
National Coordinator,
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
December 26, 2024
