Human Rights Centre Petitions UN Over Alleged Violations By Wike And President Tinubu.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has lodged a formal complaint with the United Nations, accusing President Bola Tinubu and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike of human rights violations and undermining democratic principles in Rivers State. The petition, submitted on Monday, centres on what HURIWA describes as an unconstitutional declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the dissolution of its democratic institutions.
HURIWA alleges that President Tinubu and Minister Wike orchestrated the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the dissolution of the state’s elected assembly, actions the group claims violate Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution. The association argues that these moves were politically motivated to bolster Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, rather than being grounded in any genuine security concerns. The petition further criticises the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok Etteh Ibas (retd) as a sole administrator for six months, calling it an illegal attempt to centralise power.
In a strongly worded statement, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, condemned a recent “peace meeting” on 27 June involving Tinubu, Wike, Fubara, and Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule. The group labelled the meeting a “charade” designed to mask constitutional breaches. Onwubiko argued that reconciliation cannot legitimise actions that contravene Nigeria’s legal framework, accusing the administration of double standards. He pointed to the absence of similar emergency measures in Benue State, despite ongoing violence, as evidence of discriminatory governance.
The petition also highlights concerns over judicial independence, with HURIWA alleging that the Supreme Court deliberately delayed a case brought by opposition PDP governors challenging Fubara’s removal. The group claims this delay was a strategic move to facilitate a political resolution aligned with Tinubu’s interests. Such actions, HURIWA warns, erode public trust in Nigeria’s judiciary and democratic institutions.
HURIWA’s appeal to the UN calls for an investigation into these alleged violations and urges the international body to hold Nigerian authorities accountable. The association emphasised that Nigeria, as a signatory to international human rights treaties, must uphold the rule of law and protect democratic processes. The petition underscores the need for global oversight to prevent further erosion of constitutional governance in the country.
The move has sparked debate across Nigeria, with some observers praising HURIWA’s bold stance while others question the feasibility of UN intervention in domestic political disputes. As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the UN’s response and the Nigerian government’s next steps in addressing these serious allegations.
