• HURIWA accuses Tinubu of bias, demands Kanu’s release
Elder statesman and Ijaw leader, Edwin Clark, has condemned the rising trend of nepotism in Nigeria’s political landscape, accusing past and current administrations of fostering inequality and deepening ethnic divides.
Speaking during a special Christmas service at his residence in Abuja, Clark criticised former President Muhammadu Buhari and current President Bola Tinubu for failing to promote inclusivity in governance.
He accused the Buhari administration of appointing individuals based on ethnicity rather than merit, describing it as a deliberate act that sidelined qualified Nigerians from other regions.
He lamented that under Tinubu’s leadership, the situation has remained unchanged, perpetuating the culture of favouritism and exclusion.
Speaking passionately, Clark emphasised that Nigeria belongs to all its citizens and should not be dominated by any particular group or region.
He said: “For eight years, Buhari employed his people whether educated or not. Under Tinubu, the situation hasn’t changed. Nobody is superior to others; this country belongs to every Nigerian.”
The elder statesman argued that nepotism undermines national unity and has contributed to Nigeria’s economic and political instability. He emphasised that such practices erode public trust in government institutions and marginalise groups.
Clark warned that tribalism and favouritism threaten the country’s democratic foundation, calling for a system prioritising competence, fairness, and accountability.
He urged Nigerians to hold their leaders accountable, stressing the need for reforms that promote inclusivity and reflect the nation’s diversity. Clark emphasised the importance of citizens engaging in constructive criticism and demanding transparency in government appointments.
The Ijaw leader also praised Tinubu’s recent efforts to address the public through national broadcasts but cautioned that speeches alone cannot solve Nigeria’s problems. He called for concrete actions to tackle corruption, insecurity, and poverty.
MEANWHILE, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has accused the President of perpetuating systemic discrimination against the Igbo people by refusing to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), 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.
HURIWA questioned what it called glaring double standards 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.
HURIWA emphasised 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, paralysed education, and created a general sense of unrest among residents.
The association also highlighted the human cost of the crisis. It said the South-East is bleeding economically and socially, pointing out that families are mourning their loved ones, while businesses are shutting down, and youths are losing hope.
It lamented that the Federal Government’s refusal to address these issues through dialogue and reconciliation shows a lack of commitment to national unity.
