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.
In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by national coordinator , Emmanuel Onwubiko, 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.
HURIWA questioned what it called “the glaring double standards in the federal government’s handling of separatist movements in Nigeria” pointing 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. 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” the association stated.
HURIWA claimed that the continued detention of Kanu has intensified discontent in the South-East, 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.
“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 noted.
HURIWA also condemned what it said is 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” he said.
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.
